Lakers Not Done Making Moves? Josh Smith Next?

[G-Funk]

Rumor: Josh Smith to LA Lakers?
Quote:
NBA Trade Rumors

[RazorBaLade]

No thanks pau showed me he still has heart in that gold medal game.

[G-Funk]

No thanks pau showed me he still has heart in that gold medal game.
Cause he was playing for his country

[DTreats]

Mr. Pau is trash and Atlanta would not trade their best player for him. Next.

[D12"Magic"]

Dont see why Hawks would do this though

[sagr32]

No Thanks. we'd gain some D but lose major offensive versatility

[RazorBaLade]

Cause he was playing for his country

He wouldn't have been hungry if the olympics was last year. I dont believe it.

I think he just woke up again.

[The Ownage]

Inb4 Artest + Blake for Smith.

[KeyNote]

Lakers would get better defensively and athletically..also younger

Pau value comes with his offense and him being an insurance policy (can and has flourished playing center) just incase Dwight isn't ready for the start of the year and has to work his way back into game shape

I think the lakers are done making moves though

[StroShow4]

Honestly... I don't like it for either team. Pau's offensive polish and length will mesh well with Howard's defense and athleticism. The Lakers have a prime frontcourt as it is.

As for the Hawks, they're in a sort of rebuild. No point in acquiring a 32-year-old that was never quite good enough to lead a real winner on his own.

[NOHCP3]

Would say it will never happen but teams have the uncanny ability to give the Lakers awesome deals :lol

[Meticode]

Keep Pau. Try to make a run this year.

Nash
Bryant
World Peace
Gasol
Howard

[G-Funk]

Honestly... I don't like it for either team. Pau's offensive polish and length will mesh well with Howard's defense and athleticism. The Lakers have a prime frontcourt as it is.

As for the Hawks, they're in a sort of rebuild. No point in acquiring a 32-year-old that was never quite good enough to lead a real winner on his own.
Yes but Josh Smith makes Dwight the undisputed 2nd option.

[SyRyanYang]

As much as I love J-smoove. I don't think this trade will make us better. But somehow this will guarantee an extension from Howard since they are best buddies:lol

[Kurosawa0]

Trade Pau Gasol for Josh Smith and you'll hear the other 29 teams in the league breathing a collective sigh of relief.

[longtime lurker]

:facepalm at the thought of Josh Smith and Artest launching jumpers from the perimeter

[StroShow4]

Yes but Josh Smith makes Dwight the undisputed 2nd option.

According to Josh Smith, Josh Smith would be the undisputed first option.

"Kobe? Who da f@ck is Kobe?"

[sagr32]

Yes but Josh Smith makes Dwight the undisputed 2nd option.He already is and at times will be number 1. People put too much stock in the whole option thing.

If we didn't have Nash I would worry about it but Nash is going to get each of our other stars enough looks and he'll find ways to give it to the hot hand. We haven't had a point guard who can get our stars the ball where they can immedietely do something with it. Last year Kobe Pau and andrew had to create their own looks. And it made for a very Iso centric offense. Should be a much more cohesive offense next year.

[talkingconch]

Nah, Mitch and buss are on vacation. No more moves. I'd rather keep pau now.

[ZenMaster]

It's a made up article.

Josh Smith is not a small forward and there has been no talks at all, it's a pure speculation article to get some hits.

[WeGetRing2012]

Kobe would be so pissed if this were to happen :lol

Nah the Lakers are done. For now *cues evil laugh*

[DirkNowitzki41]

:oldlol:

[flipogb]

would make it even more likely that Dwight stays, from 99% to 99.5%

[97 bulls]

Inb4 Artest + Blake for Smith.
This is probably what will happen.

[TheBigVeto]

The Lakers will never be done until they get Lebron, Durant, Melo, Wade and Bosh to come off the bench.

[KDTrey5]

dont ruin ATL bball

[TheeBeast]

Artest+Blake for Josh Smith works

http://espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=d3y67zy

[gtfomyface]

Artest+Blake for Josh Smith works

http://espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=d3y67zy

get it done mitch

nash
kobe
smith
gasol
dwight

:bowdown: :bowdown: :bowdown: :bowdown: :bowdown: :bowdown:

[The_Yearning]

How you fools still underestimating Mitch Kupchak?

This dude is getting J-Smoove and KEEPING Gasol.

He did it in 2008 when they got Gasol WITHOUT giving up Bynum or Odom.

He did it again with Steve Nash.

Then Dwight Howard.

This dude is BOSS.

[G-Funk]

According to Josh Smith, Josh Smith would be the undisputed first option.

"Kobe? Who da f@ck is Kobe?"
:oldlol:

[KDTrey5]

How you fools still underestimating Mitch Kupchak?

This dude is getting J-Smoove and KEEPING Gasol.

He did it in 2008 when they got Gasol WITHOUT giving up Bynum or Odom.

He did it again with Steve Nash.

Then Dwight Howard.

This dude is BOSS.
wont happen.

[G-Funk]

Artest+Blake for Josh Smith works

http://espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=d3y67zy
:oldlol::applause:

[magictricked]

It's a made up article.

Josh Smith is not a small forward and there has been no talks at all, it's a pure speculation article to get some hits.
Looks like it. Real amateurish

[gtfomyface]

http://espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=92y3fvc

:confusedshrug:

[imnew09]

Nah, Kobe would disagree!

[hawkfan]

Josh for Pau won't happen.
The Hawks cleared out cap space for a free agent run next summer at young players.
No point in adding Pau, who is on the back end of his Hall of Fame career.
Why not add a young player next summer, when we will enough money to sign a max level player with Harris, Morrow, Korver, Williams, Farmer's bought out contract, Petro expiring?
The Hawks can keep Horford, Smith, Teague, Williams and still add a James Harden at max money.

[KDTrey5]

http://espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=92y3fvc

:confusedshrug:
:oldlol:

[TheeBeast]

http://espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=92y3fvc

:confusedshrug:

Now that's reaching, even for Mitch..

[DKLaker]

No thanks pau showed me he still has heart in that gold medal game.

He plays much harder for his country......but I would keep him, I just have to see how well he plays with Nash.

[Dictator]

Holy......our bench is horrible

http://espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine

:eek: :eek:

[hawkfan]

Artest+Blake for Josh Smith works

http://espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=d3y67zy

Why on earth would the Hawks do this?

The Hawks already have Stevenson, Korver, Morrow on the wings; where does Artest play?

The Hawks have Teague, Harris, Williams to run the point; where does Blake play?

Horrible trade.

[KDTrey5]

Why on earth would the Hawks do this?

The Hawks already have Stevenson, Korver, Morrow on the wings; where does Artest play?

The Hawks have Teague, Harris, Williams to run the point; where does Blake play?

Horrible trade.
cap space?. wont happen tho

[hawkfan]

cap space?. wont happen tho

Cap space for who?
Smith is an expirer; Blake and MWP are both under contract for next season.
Why would the Hawks trade away the starting power forward and franchise player for two guys on the back end of their careers who don't have spots where they can actually play (since there are guys ahead of them)?

:biggums:

[DixieNourmous]

Keep Pau :cheers:

[KDTrey5]

Cap space for who?
Smith is an expirer; Blake and MWP are both under contract for next season.
Why would the Hawks trade away the starting power forward and franchise player for two guys on the back end of their careers who don't have spots where they can actually play (since there are guys ahead of them)?

:biggums:
blake and MWP.. thought they were expiring. guess not

but it wont happen. laker fans dreaming

[fsvr54]

Danny Ferry is not letting Josh Smith go.

[DaSeba5]

Why in the world would Atlanta do this?

[Dictator]

No way Pau can go anyway. Unless Kobe retires......

Kobe told management they can't move Pau without moving him. :confusedshrug:

[hawkfan]

Danny Ferry is not letting Josh Smith go.

Josh said with Joe gone, he wants to stay.

Hopefully we can add a young free agent like James Harden or someone like that to add to our core. And another center, so Al can move to power forward.

[jjayfive]

as a laker fan, i hope this isn't true.. Pau is gonna beast with howard and nash.. i don't care how athletic josh smith is..

[tmacattack33]

Honestly... I don't like it for either team. Pau's offensive polish and length will mesh well with Howard's defense and athleticism. The Lakers have a prime frontcourt as it is.

As for the Hawks, they're in a sort of rebuild. No point in acquiring a 32-year-old that was never quite good enough to lead a real winner on his own.

I'd agree with this. Gasol to Dwight is something we'll see a lot of. Gasol can play effectively as a point forward...he's a great passer and very skilled. Dwight is the low post beast. It'll be great.

[outbreak]

I think Gasol and Dwight would work well together. Atlanta will be looking to move Smith though, he's made it clear he wants out, requested trades in the past and his contract expires at the end of this year. He'll be moved somewhere or we'll be seeing another ransom situation again this year.

[CLTHornets4eva]

The Hawks have no need for old ass Gasol. With Horford, and Josh the Hawks need a top tier SG and a defending C who can allow Al to go to his natural 5.

In order to become a true top team, the Hawks will need to upgrade the PG position Teague is good but not Elite.

[Reverend Hoops]

This is probably what will happen.

http://www.depressedfan.com/assets_c/2012/06/danny_ferry_061312-thumb-510x345-14213.jpg

[The Choken One]

Nooooooo.

Pau is my second favorite Laker now that AB is gone... if Gasoft plays half as good as he did during the Olympics he's going to help bring 1 or 2 more ships to LA.

[BlackVVaves]

Only trade the Lakers should consider involving Gasol is:

Gasol
Artest

For

Boozer
Deng

Other than that, no trade should (or will) occur with Pau.

[The Choken One]

Only trade the Lakers should consider involving Gasol is:

Gasol
Artest

For

Boozer
Deng

Other than that, no trade should (or will) occur with Pau.
Deng would be nice...but Gasol is much better than Booz.(I do like him, though. Just on the Bulls. :D)

[IGOTGAME]

I kind of hope they do this. I'm not sold on Pau 100% and I know Smith will play very well off Nash. I say do it if we can pry another asset away.

Dwight is gonna need touches in the post. At least I know Smith is comfortable contributing in other ways.

[Horde of Temujin]

Trade Pau Gasol for Josh Smith and you'll hear the other 29 teams in the league breathing a collective sigh of relief.


Yep, it would be similar to how the British felt when Germany invaded Russia. It was a step too far.

[GreatGreg]

Mr. Pau is trash and Atlanta would not trade their best player for him. Next.
Anything is possible with the Lakers, they don't make trades, the make highway-robbery

[KDTrey5]

Anything is possible with the Lakers, they don't make trades, the make highway-robbery
hello

[BankShot]

Trade Pau Gasol for Josh Smith and you'll hear the other 29 teams in the league breathing a collective sigh of relief.

This is so true its not even funny. Gasol/Howard has the potential to be, by far, the most dominant and versatile front court in as long as I can remember. I tried to come up with a comparison from the past 20 years and drew a blank.

Considering that the Lakers front court ALSO will team with Kobe and Nash makes me weep for any semblance of competitive balance in the NBA.

[BankShot]

Even though Smith absolutely isn't a three in today's game.... would he even be a good fit next to Kobe and pals?

While he would team up with Howard to become a ridiculous rim-protecting duo, he wouldn't space the floor like Pau, nor would he be able to facilitate from the high post like Pau can.

Its a move that sounds good in 2k12, but in reality I think it makes the Lakers less potent offensively, and certainly less versatile.

[fsvr54]

This is so true its not even funny. Gasol/Howard has the potential to be, by far, the most dominant and versatile front court in as long as I can remember. I tried to come up with a comparison from the past 20 years and drew a blank.

Considering that the Lakers front court ALSO will team with Kobe and Nash makes me weep for any semblance of competitive balance in the NBA.

Timmy and D Rob?

[jdm_dc_fan]

Boston has also showed interest in him. Rajon who has a close relationship with josh and who also was his room mate in oak hill academy, will make sure ainge gets him. :hammertime:

http://greenstreet.weei.com/sports/boston/basketball/celtics/2012/05/11/irish-coffee-josh-smith-jealous-of-celtics-boston-fans/

[spiegel]

Gasol/Howard frontline will be insane so the Lakers need to be smart here.

[LakersReign]

Laker just need Pau to score like he did when he first came to them. They really don't need to add anybody else. And I don't think giving up a big is a good idea either.

[KOBE143]

JSmith and Dwight in the paint :eek: thats scary as shit.. but we lost some offense though..

[Story Up]

Hum don't ruin a perfect offseason. Josh is no Gasol!

[Kobe 4 The Win]

Pau's not going anywhere. Mitch will end up getting Josh Smith for Steve Blake and a scrub to be named later.

[IGotACoolStory]

I liken to the original twin towers better.

[Kobe 4 The Win]

I liken to the original twin towers better.

Can you say that again in English?

[#1SportsFan86]

Pau's not going anywhere. Mitch will end up getting Josh Smith for Steve Blake and a scrub to be named later.

Yep...Lakers taking the best player in the trade and rip the other team off, that's how the Lakers roll.:rolleyes:

[AAckley1]

Gasoline would work perfect for what Atlanta has always wanted to do, make Al Horford their starting PF. I assume they expected J-Smoove to develop into a 3; it never happened so they were stuck with Horford at 5.

Teague would flourish with Pau & Horford, who are both significantly better pick'n'option players than Smith. Jeff is already primed for another significant improvement, Pau would only compliment his current strengths.

[BoutPractice]

When I saw the topic title, I thought the Lakers were about to get Josh Smith for Metta World Peace and a bunch of scrubs, for some reason :oldlol:
It wouldn't have surprised me, the Lakers being repeat offenders and all.

Anyway, I'm the biggest Josh Smith supporter there is, but strategy wise, having both Pau Gasol and Dwight Howard on your team is such an obvious advantage that it doesn't make sense to get rid of either one of them.

[InspiredLebowski]

Danny Ferry traded Joe Johnson's contract that has 3 years and 65+ mil left. Props. EOTY.

Honestly kinda sucks Johnson got that deal. He's a great player but people see the money and think he isn't any good because it just become "overpaid!." It's fine for Jersey and their zillionaire Russian, but ATL couldn't have survived with that on the books. Hawks are in pretty decent financial shape after Ferry cleaned house. Still have Horford on a really franchise friendly deal. Until they trade him to Indy for West and his expiring and a couple firsts and I jizz all over InsidePoops.

[sagr32]

Danny Ferry traded Joe Johnson's contract that has 3 years and 65+ mil left. Props. EOTY.
.Ferry has done a good job giving the hawks some financial flexibility going forward but it'd be a travesty if anyone but Kupchak got EOTY.

[InspiredLebowski]

Ferry has done a good job giving the hawks some financial flexibility going forward but it'd be a travesty if anyone but Kupchak got EOTY.Yeah, suppose that's true. Big a dick as the Lakers can suck it's not ONLY because they're the Lakers and own LA and all that. I mean, those factors clearly help, but Kupchak's absolutely great at his job.

Would be interesting to see him in a small/mid market. Just to see what happens.

[Noof]

I don't think either team would do this. And I'm glad.

[All Net]

Nah Pau is a better option with Dwight

[Sroek]

Christ, some of you Laker fans are sipping on too much of that high-fructose corn syrup.

J-Smoove makes the Lakers younger, and also makes them the best interior defensive team in the last ****ing decade or so. They need that in order to cover for their perimeter defense weakness. They have enough offense as it is, defense is what they're lacking. Plus, Nash dishing dimes to both J-Smoove and D12? My god.

[Math2]

Josh Smith :lol

[Nelson14]

if the lakers do this:eek:

[IGOTGAME]

Christ, some of you Laker fans are sipping on too much of that high-fructose corn syrup.

J-Smoove makes the Lakers younger, and also makes them the best interior defensive team in the last ****ing decade or so. They need that in order to cover for their perimeter defense weakness. They have enough offense as it is, defense is what they're lacking. Plus, Nash dishing dimes to both J-Smoove and D12? My god.
I'm conflicted on this. I think this may be a good deal.

[swi7ch]

NO way. David Stern will block this.

[2LeTTeRS]

Christ, some of you Laker fans are sipping on too much of that high-fructose corn syrup.

J-Smoove makes the Lakers younger, and also makes them the best interior defensive team in the last ****ing decade or so. They need that in order to cover for their perimeter defense weakness. They have enough offense as it is, defense is what they're lacking. Plus, Nash dishing dimes to both J-Smoove and D12? My god.

Josh may be 'better" than Pau, but on the current team I see Pau as a harder matchup for the teams the Lakers will have to beat to win a title. J Smith would be a much easier match-up at the 4 for LeBron or Durant than Pau, and Pau forces those teams to play bigger (worse scoring) line-ups.

[wagexslave]

Danny Ferry traded Joe Johnson's contract that has 3 years and 65+ mil left. Props. EOTY.

Honestly kinda sucks Johnson got that deal. He's a great player but people see the money and think he isn't any good because it just become "overpaid!." It's fine for Jersey and their zillionaire Russian, but ATL couldn't have survived with that on the books. Hawks are in pretty decent financial shape after Ferry cleaned house. Still have Horford on a really franchise friendly deal. Until they trade him to Indy for West and his expiring and a couple firsts and I jizz all over InsidePoops.
I'd rather be seen as overpaid and make millions upon millions of dollars, than get a more deserving contract making way less money and be seen as "good value". That's just me. Joe Johnson is ballin. He's a multi upon multi millionaire and not deserving of it at all. He's living life, and will never be worried about money again. His riches will be passed down from generation to generation. He will be able to buy pretty much anything he ever wants. I doubt he cares AT ALL if people see him as "overpaid" and don't respect how good of a player he is. lol

[chazzy]

Not happening

[Rysio]

trading one of the smartest players in the world for a dumb nig with hops? no thanks.

[TexasBloodMoney]

:facepalm The Hawks just got rid of Joe Johnson's contract and were/are interested in Dwight Howard themselves. So why would they dump Josh Smith and his expiring contract for an older/more expensive/declining Gasol?

Oh right! They wouldn't do that, and this is probably a fabricated "rumor" from the bleacher report.
Atlanta is gonna have enough cap space next year to re-sign Smoove AND add another all-star.

But I guess anything that helps the lakers is a great trade right? :rolleyes:

[monkeypox]

This isn't actually a rumor. It's just this writer saying that an old rumored trade would work well for the Lakers right now. It's just written in a way to trick people in to getting clicks. There's no actual rumor.

[Mirjalovic]

No thanks

i still prefer see Scal & Ammo starting for the Lakers than him.

[NumberSix]

Wow. Lakers trying to fck it all up. Keep Pau.

[IGOTGAME]

trading one of the smartest players in the world for a dumb nig with hops? no thanks.

John Smith isnt a dumb player. Plus, he actually plays really good pick and roll defense and adds needed athletism to this team.

As good as Pau is as a player he is most effective on the low block and as a playmaker. Well, Nash and Kobe are gonna be the playmakers and Dwight is gonna be on the low block so Pau's facilitating is just gonna be redundant at times. What they need is someone who will be able to finish plays, play great defense and fit in. It is tough for Pau to do this when he isn't the #1 post option. Guess what, he won't be the number 1 post option with Dwight there.

Unlike some people here I just don't like the idea of Pau shooting long jumpers and playing bad pick and roll defense for another year. I'd consider J-Smooth playing elite defense, giving Kobe room to play in the post more and giving the squad an another athletic finisher on the break. Josh Smith had a great year last year and I think its gonna keep happening.

[#number6ix#]

This would b a dummy move by LA I think pau is going to be the key player for them this season with his great high low passing

[Rubio2Gasol]

People need to watch Josh Smith more....He's not Pau...but he's one of the best passing power forwards in the league in his own right , especially on the break.

He's no jump shooter though, it's an improvement on defense, and it takes away some offense.

But Josh Smith is no scrub.

[Optimus Prime]

This is a ridiculous thread. Lakers are not trading Pau for Jsmoove. Now ... Artest and Blake for Jsmoove ... :lol

:kobe:

[IGOTGAME]

This would b a dummy move by LA I think pau is going to be the key player for them this season with his great high low passing

what about his horrible pick and roll defense?

[monkeypox]

This is not a rumor. This is a writer saying an old rumored trade would be awesome now since the Lakers got Dwight. The Lakers FO is on vacation right now. I repeat... this is not an actual rumor so everyone can calm down, lol.

[BlackVVaves]

When I saw the topic title, I thought the Lakers were about to get Josh Smith for Metta World Peace and a bunch of scrubs, for some reason :oldlol:
It wouldn't have surprised me, the Lakers being repeat offenders and all.

Anyway, I'm the biggest Josh Smith supporter there is, but strategy wise, having both Pau Gasol and Dwight Howard on your team is such an obvious advantage that it doesn't make sense to get rid of either one of them.

Did the Lakers not give up the second best player in the trade ? Highway robbery?

[Levity]

what about his horrible pick and roll defense?

rumor has it that dwight is pretty good at guarding the pick and roll.

[IGOTGAME]

rumor has it that dwight is pretty good at guarding the pick and roll.

I'd rather him not have to cover for Nash and Gasol at the same time. Gasol is really bad at guarding the pick and roll from the 4 spot. Why put that extra stress on Howard...

with Josh Smith you get elite pick and roll defense and the ability to score a ton without play called for you. Plus he is a really good passer as well. I say go with Josh Smith...you get the younger player who provides better defense and a better chance in the future. The only reason Id consider keeping Pau is because he has been apart of 2 championship squads and has that pedigree. But with that said, he comes and goes with his intensity so much that I can't rely on his effort anyway.

[Whoah10115]

People need to watch Josh Smith more....He's not Pau...but he's one of the best passing power forwards in the league in his own right , especially on the break.

He's no jump shooter though, it's an improvement on defense, and it takes away some offense.

But Josh Smith is no scrub.




This is correct. Josh Smith could be great. But Dwight can handle defense all on his own. Everyone in the Lakers starting 5 is better defensively than everyone in the Magic starting 5.



Gasol gives you playmaking down low and in any post. He's also an easily better post player than Dwight and Dwight should not be more than the 3rd option offensively. Just depends on where you want the passing and playmaking. Thru the post or another option on the break.

[IGOTGAME]

This team looks slow. I would still consider this.

btw...this has nothing to do with preseason record. Lakers perimeter players are just soo slow that they may need to make another move.

[schism206]

:facepalm at the thought of Josh Smith and Artest launching jumpers from the perimeter
:roll:

[IGOTGAME]

Lakers are soooo slow...

[longtime lurker]

Defensively Dwight and Josh Smith would be a nightmare. And it also allows the Lakers to match up well against teams that are going with the small ball trend. The problem is offensively it could possibly be the ugliest shit ever

[Vragrant]

This team looks slow. I would still consider this.

btw...this has nothing to do with preseason record. Lakers perimeter players are just soo slow that they may need to make another move.

I think Mike Fratello said it best. Josh Smith is incredibly athletic, but lazy. The two are not mutually exclusive. He doesn't play with much energy. If they want to play at a faster pace I don't think he is the answer.

Although he would play much better with Nash, and he would not have the ball except for lobs/cuts/putbacks so his idiocy would be minimized.

[KOBE143]

If he become productive this season then no trade but if he show sign of declining and play with no chemistry with dwight then trade his ass asap..

[NumberSix]

Lakers would be epically stupid to do this. Keep pau. Obvious is obvious

[IGOTGAME]

Lakers would be epically stupid to do this. Keep pau. Obvious is obvious

how is this obvious.

[CarlosBoozer]

Keep the core, try getting Carlos boozer when bulls amnesty him. Solid backup of for gasol who can score and rebound. Leave the defense to Dwight :)

[RaininTwos]

Josh Smith is the better player, so I don't see why people are saying the Lakers would be messing up by getting him.

[maybeshewill13]

Josh Smith is the better player, so I don't see why people are saying the Lakers would be messing up by getting him.

:facepalm better player doesn't necessarily make the TEAM better.

[TheBigVeto]

They will never be done until they have every all-star who played in 2012 Olympics.

[TryToBeUnbias]

Josh Smith is the better player, so I don't see why people are saying the Lakers would be messing up by getting him.
Better player doesn't always equate into a better fit.

[TheBigVeto]

Josh Smith is the better player, so I don't see why people are saying the Lakers would be messing up by getting him.

LOL no he's not. Just because he's black and Pau is white doesn't mean Josh Smith is better.

[maybeshewill13]

LOL no he's not. Just because he's black and Pau is white doesn't mean Josh Smith is better.
:wtf:

[kuniva_dAMiGhTy]

LOL no he's not. Just because he's black and Pau is white doesn't mean Josh Smith is better.

[Shaq's voice] STOP IT! [/Shaq's voice]

[CeltsGarlic]

This and Rondo would be good for them

[I<3NBA]

Lakers get weaker if this trade happens. it would play right into the hands of Miami who will be able to play small ball against LA. Pau is what will keep Miami in trouble.

[RaininTwos]

First of all, how many times am I going to be quoted here? Sheesh:oldlol:

Secondly, I must be living in the twilight zone, I thought I was in the world where Laker fans have been complaining about Pau disappearing way too often no matter who's on the floor. You guys have been complaining about how he's too soft as well.

I don't want the Hawks to trade Smoove anywhere, but I do think that move would make the Lakers the team to beat for some time. Their protection of the rim would be phenomenal.

Finally, it's not 2009, Smith is better than Gasol. You can really tell who didn't watch games last year. Or look at stats.

[Meticode]

First of all, how many times am I going to be quoted here? Sheesh:oldlol:

Secondly, I must be living in the twilight zone, I thought I was in the world where Laker fans have been complaining about Pau disappearing way too often no matter who's on the floor. You guys have been complaining about how he's too soft as well.

I don't want the Hawks to trade Smoove anywhere, but I do think that move would make the Lakers the team to beat for some time. Their protection of the rim would be phenomenal.

Finally, it's not 2009, Smith is better than Gasol. You can really tell who didn't watch games last year. Or look at stats.
Question, who do you feel makes the Lakers and overall better team with their current roster? Gasol or Smith?

[RaininTwos]

Question, who do you feel makes the Lakers and overall better team with their current roster? Gasol or Smith?

This isn't even a question. Smith.

[No Evans!]

Hawks would not do this now. That was Rick Sund not Danny Ferry.

[Meticode]

This isn't even a question. Smith.
I agree. Although I do feel Pau fits the Lakers better at least offensively, but Smith's defensive regard just tips the scale in his favor. A Howard+Smith defensive front court would be interesting.

[lilgodfather1]

If they can somehow manage to keep Gasol, and get Smith than this Lakers team will be the greatest roster ever assembled.

Nash
Kobe
Smith
Gasol
Dwight

However, it seems the "rumour" is Gasol for Smith. If that is true then I think the Lakers would be giving up a chance at an NBA title. The defense is going to be great with the 3x DPOY manning the middle, and an "all defensive 1st team" guard on the perimiter, with a former DPOY also on the wing.

It is the Lakers offense that needs spacing because of Dwight's lack of ability to shoot even a 10 foot jumper. Pau solves that because he can hit from outside the paint consistantly, and you need to respect his shooting ability. With Smith, and no Gasol their defense wouldn't improve as much as their offense would suffer imho. Smith isn't a terrible shooter, but he is not as good as Gasol, and therefore teams will cheat off of him into the paint to help on Dwight, which will make the Lakers weaker offensively. It would also make things harder for Kobe and Nash to drive into the lane because Smith and Howard would be clogging up the middle.

I love the move if they can do it without including Gasol, but if they inculde him I think it is a terrible move.

Would Horford + Smith for Gasol, and MWP work? If so that could be phenominal...

Edit: I realise that Horford and Smith are far and away the two best players in the deal, but after two years Gasol and MWP are completely off the books giving the Hawks a ton of cap space in the 2014 off season when a lot of marquee players are free agents.

[Whoah10115]

It depends on whether or not they play thru Gasol at all. If they're not going to, then this would be the right move. And it could work for Atlanta too, in that they would have two combo PF/C's to play thru, and who both run the floor well. Gasol is the better rebounder, and he would improve their half-court.


Atlanta would also be older, and they're not necessarily trying to win like that this minute. Their window is different from the Lakers' window.



But Smith is great on the run and is also a great passer and creater when he runs. He doesn't need the ball in the half-court the way Gasol does. He's Dwight's best friend or whatever. Gives them both a reason to stay. Tho I would argue that Smith is not yet better than Gasol. Last year he was. I don't think Gasol has declined tho.

But again, why would Atlanta want to get older if it isn't to win right this minute?