Joe Smith Watch

by Jeff Clark on Dec 28, 2008 1:11 PM EST in Rumors Comment 18 comments

Joesmith_medium

There are rumblings the Thunder will trade veteran forward Joe Smith after adding Krstic. The Raptors, Heat and Magic are three teams believed to be interested in Smith.

So if the Celtics are interested, there are three competitors for his services. I only say "if" because Ainge seldom tips his hand. He was quoted saying nothing by saying:

"There is a lot of [trade] discussion throughout the league, which can mean something or nothing."

Thanks Danny, that clears everything up.

Lets look at this a little closer though. One team not mentioned is the Cavs. They would love to get Joe Smith back for another run this year, but they cannot trade for him since he was traded by them less than a year ago. If he gets bought out, the Cavs become a logical favorite.

"I would have interest in the Cavs, I'm not sure they would be interested in me," Smith said. "They would be an option."

However, I wouldn't bet on the Thunder holding onto Smith with so many interested trade partners.

We all know the Celtics have the same basic package to offer anyone. Scal's contract and [fill in the blank] which buys us someone in the $4M range. Scal won't be an expiring contract till next year, so he won't buy you anything all by himself. They don't have many draft picks to offer, so the blank is usually filled by a young player like Big Baby or Gabe Pruitt.

Conveniently, Joe Smith for Scal and any of our young players works in the trade checker. It looks like they could use a shooting guard, so I threw in JR Giddens for the sake of the checker, but who really knows what they are building in OKC?

Why would the Thunder take a guy like Scalabrine? Well, one so they can match salaries to pick up a young player in exchange for a player they would have bought out anyway. And two, because they can hold onto Scal to use as a trade chip at next year's deadline. They have nothing but time on their hands and plenty of money under the cap to play with.

You can do your own research, but the other teams might have more valuable trade chips, depending on what OKC wants. Toronto can offer up Anthony Parker (who has been rumored to be on the block anyway).

Miami doesn't have much unless you like 5 years of James Jones or 3 with Marcus Banks. Orlando has a few players they can use to match salaries (Bogans/Redick anyone?) but would presumably need to add a pick to make it happen. Plus I'm sure there are as-of-yet unnamed teams that would love to get their hands on Smith for the stretch run.

So what do you think? Who has the best shot at Joe Smith? What would you offer for him?

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That’s a deal I make without blinking, Jeff.

My concern, though, is that OKC may not want a throwaway – Scal.

by CoachBo on Dec 28, 2008 11:58 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

well

the hope is that they have money to burn under the cap and would be willing to pick him up for two reasons:

1. they pick up an asset (Giddens or whomever)
2. they can hold onto Scal as an expiring contract for next year’s deadline – they have nothing but time on their hands

in fact, I may add those points to the article right now – this is a living document

"Would I rather be feared or loved? Easy. Both. I want people to be afraid of how much they love me." Michael Scott

by Jeff Clark on Dec 28, 2008 12:01 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

We have other “assets” that could be combined if OKC doesn’t want Scal, but there’s probably no need to inflame the populace.

:-)

by CoachBo on Dec 28, 2008 1:34 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Giddens is also from OKC, so that could help facilitate the trade, as he might help them sell tix.

by arambone on Dec 28, 2008 12:12 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I'd rather trade Walker.

I think Giddens is going to be a player, better than Walker, imo. But if it takes Giddens to make it work, oh well.

by Bankshot on Dec 28, 2008 1:00 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

"However, I wouldn't bet on the Griz"

I’m confused. What does Memphis have to do with anything?

God bless and good night!

by BrickJames on Dec 28, 2008 1:20 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

it means I need more sleep

tyPO

"Would I rather be feared or loved? Easy. Both. I want people to be afraid of how much they love me." Michael Scott

by Jeff Clark on Dec 28, 2008 1:43 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

fixed

"Would I rather be feared or loved? Easy. Both. I want people to be afraid of how much they love me." Michael Scott

by Jeff Clark on Dec 28, 2008 1:44 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Our chances are slim

Scal and Giddens (or Walker, or Pruitt) won’t cut it, I think. Unless we send $3 million in cash and a couple of 2nd rounders. There’s always the chance Presti really likes one of our youngsters though.

by cordobes on Dec 28, 2008 1:44 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

i think we should be ok to lose all of the following provided we get back

a guy who can play the 3 and 4 and shoot and get a big like smith: scal, tony, any of the picks this year,Obryant, future picks within reason. tony and other assets to toronto for moon and scal and other assetts to okc for smith. those trades make us better, bigger and better and we need that. the loss of ta may weaken us a little at the 3 but a guy like moon can play there some.

all i am really saying is its ok for tony to go now, and if we can do a package to get a decent guy at the 3 and 4 we should jump at the chance. Meanwhile we also have to get a guy like smith or pray for pj mutumbo. the loss of posey looms large and it will bite us in the butt unless we can get something good done.

by wahz on Dec 28, 2008 2:05 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Moon?

He’s not a very good player… far from it….

by cordobes on Dec 28, 2008 2:20 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

i don't care about Moon

we are missing both length at center and someone who is a minor league version of Pose. Smith is the answer to one issue. I’ll trade tony right now to get anyone who might be the minor league version of pose. moon may well be a bad example.

The thing the celts are facing is that la and cle have both improved. I believe danny felt our starters would improve and perhaps make up for our weaker bench. in a sense i think he is right. i think all in all this team is as good as last years. But to get us a better shot we need what nearly all can see we need.

by wahz on Dec 28, 2008 2:55 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

What we need is...

… good players. Guys good enough to be part of the rotation, as we already have plenty of players who aren’t very good right now. Moon isn’t one of those guys who are good enough to be the primary wing reserve on a championship team.

A poor man’s Posey we could use would be someone like Damien Wilkins, Smith’s teammate in OKC. But he’s still a very limited player, I don’t think we can afford to send Tony Allen for him (and I doubt the Thunder are interested anyway).

by cordobes on Dec 28, 2008 4:20 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

At the risk of sending the Tony-istas into apoplexy, you might recall that OKC had interest in him before Danny botched the Posey situation.

by CoachBo on Dec 28, 2008 3:35 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I recall that and obviously he went to school there

And maybe i should happy to go smith for tony straight up if there was a way to make it work with the salary situation.

Ive gone through every player in the nba trying to find a guy like posey, ie, stretches the d and can cover 3 and 4. there just isn’t anyone we can realistically get who is anywhere near as good. You can name a couple dozen choices but its just not going to happen. maybe all we can do is try for a guy with some size, is established and consistent and who can shoot the three and who at least hustles, assuming we get smith.

by wahz on Dec 28, 2008 4:03 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I’ve got to side with Cordobes here: We just need quality players on the bench, not one-trick ponies. You make the moves and do what you can to upgrade, and fill as many of the bench holes as you can.

by CoachBo on Dec 28, 2008 5:16 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

i think our best bet would be to get Alonzo or PJ as free agents

and trade a package to chicago for nocioni. I can’t see anything else that fills both spots very well and is realistic at all

by wahz on Dec 28, 2008 5:56 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

C’mon guys. Do you really think we want another year of Scalabrine for an expiring Joe Smith???? Oklahoma does not necessarily = stupid.

If you want something of value, you have to give something of value.

Now, on the other hand. If you were to take back one of our unwanted, expensive players like Earl Watson along with Joe Smith, for say one or two of your nobodies with short contracts and a trade exception, maybe we would talk.

by Joe-Thunderguru.com on Dec 29, 2008 10:51 AM EST reply actions 0 recs