The Brooklyn Nets have been heavily rumored as suitors for Josh Smith as talks of a possible trade with the Atlanta Hawks have surfaced. However, as the Nets might be ready to make a move, there are reasons why I dislike this possible trade.
All signs point to Smith being an average player who the Hawks have been waiting to blossom. It's been nine years.
Smith is a decent scorer, but a great rebounder, which the Nets could use. However, similar to the Toronto Blue Jays who traded for a bunch of All-Stars that couldn't win in Miami with the Marlins, (sorry to cross over sports) if Smith hasn't been able to win with the Hawks in nine seasons there, why would he be a good fit in Brooklyn?
The Nets already have a former Hawk in Joe Johnson. His best basketball is behind him and it came in the late 00's as he averaged over 20 point per game. Johnson, who is now 31 years old, is on the downgrade and he too was unable to carry the Hawks deep into the playoffs.
So why have Smith and Johnson play together in Brooklyn?
Also, the Nets might possibly give up MarShon Brooks, who could be a future starting shooting guard in the near future. Johnson doesn't have more than two solid years left as a starter in the NBA. I mean, if he keeps playing against older guys like Paul Pierce then he could last maybe six or seven, but Pierce will soon be out the door.
Another big part involving Smith is the Nets having to give up a first-round pick. The Hawks might be including this in the deal and it just might be a little too much to give up. Brooks was their first round pick in 2011 and a future first rounder might also go to Atlanta if the Nets agree to this deal.
Now, the one positive piece in this deal is that the Nets would get rid of Kris Humphries who has underperformed greatly in 2013. It's almost like paying him made him lazy. He averaged a double-double in 2011 and 2012, but this season, Humphries is putting up about six points and grabbing six rebounds per game. That definitely won't make a difference and impact the team in any way.
The Nets need scoring, so Smith could be the replacement for Humphries. Smith averages 10 more points than Humphries and is averaging 8.5 rebounds per game.
Aside from being Humphries replacement, there's not much positives I can see from this move. The Miami Heat and the New York Knicks still look like better teams than the Nets and the Oklahoma City Thunder can dice up this team if they were to meet in the NBA Finals.
Acquiring Smith would help the Nets score and win games, but ultimately, it will not make them champions. If a trade won't help you win a championship, then the trade is worthless. That should be the Nets mentality since they already possess a decent core with Deron Williams and Brook Lopez.
How do you feel about Josh Smith? Let me know on Twitter @Frankie_SWR or start talking in the comment section below.
