Suprised by this move, thinking the Grizzlies weren't going to do anything. But this will make our division even tougher. Griz send contract offer to Hawks' Smith By Ronald Tillery (Contact), Memphis Commercial Appeal Originally published 08:51 a.m., August 8, 2008 Updated 08:51 a.m., August 8, 2008 The Memphis Grizzlies have sent a contract offer worth $58 million to Atlanta Hawks restricted free agent Josh Smith today, according to multiple NBA sources. As the only team left with significant room under the salary cap, the Griz have shifted out of a summer holding pattern and targeted the versatile 6-9, 235-pound forward. Atlanta has seven days to match, per league rules, once Smith receives the offer sheet. Smith's numbers have increased in each of his four NBA seasons since Atlanta made him a first-round pick out of high school in 2004. He averaged 17.2 points, 8.2 rebounds and 2.8 blocks last season, helping the Hawks make the playoffs. The Hawks have said they would match any contract offer to the 22-year-old Smith, but are on the hook next season with big contracts for Mike Bibby and Joe Johnson. Should the Griz land Smith he is expected to play power forward alongside Rudy Gay at small forward, O.J. Mayo at shooting guard and Mike Conley at point guard. In another development, the Griz have identified Iranian center Hamed Ehadadi as a person of interest and hope to sign the 7-2, 23-year-old next week. Ehadadi last played for Saba Battery of the Iran Super League. He'll also play for the Iran national team in the Olympics. Ehadadi recently collected 19 points and 16 rebounds in summer league action at Utah. He amassed 20 points and nine rebounds against Argentina and 20 points, 20 rebounds and six blocks against Serbia in Olympic tune-ups. http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2008/aug/08/griz-sign-hawks-smith-offer-sheet/
If they do sign Hamed Hadadi, Memphis is going to be one of the teams I'm going to watch, solely because I'm of Iranian descent.
If the Hawks want to remain in contention in the East, they pretty much have no choice but to sign him, even if they are looking at big contracts from Bibby and Johnson. Losing Childress AND Smith would be a major blow to them.
Damn now I know we can make the move for Darko.. This is a repost of what I wrote: Darko Milicic - This is what I posted on ESPN Memphis board. I'm not sure how Memphis fans feel about Darko but here me out a bit. We all know 2010 is the meca of free agency but also 2009 is great as well. and looking at your available cap space in 2009 looks pretty good. How about making it better? You have Darko for 2 more years at 7mil per. He only plays 23MIN!! a game ???? My proposal : Darko M. traded to Houston for Luther Head/ChuckHayes/Steve Francis/+ Cash Luther Head and Steve Francis are expiring in 09 and Hayes in 2010. Trade Machine link. http://games.espn.go.com/nba/featur...&te=&cash=29:10 The only reason why I see you do it is because you need some cap room next year to get some really big names. Kobe Bryant, Carlos Boozer, Allen Iverson, Ron Artest, Richard Hamilton, Jason Kidd, Shawn Marion, Andre Miller, Lamar Odom and Rasheed Wallace(List copied and paste from espn) These are free agents in 2009 not 2010. Why we do it because we need someone who only plays limited minutes (23min a game) tall Power forward. We are in a win now mode so it's either this year or next year. 1. Darko is the perfect fit for Houston because he can play the Center and Forward position. 2. Out of all the Forward/Center guys in the league he is one of most effective in limited min (he averages only 23 min a game) 3. He's damn young did you know he is only 23 4. His contact in in 2010 so again the 2010 free up money comes into play 5. He's athletic and long (We need a legit 7 footer because some of the legit title competitors are that big) 6. He's a blocking machine because even for being a 7 footer he can jump out of the gym for his height. 7. He has more than average midgame 8. And his fg% is nice as well., List goes on and on but when it comes down to it there is nobody in the league I think we can try to get except Darko. I remember Darko giving us fits and that was against Yao/Deke. I know Memphis would trade him and I believe we have the pieces. Any Combination of Brooks/Novak/Hayes/Francis/future 2nd rounder/Cash Stop going for bigs that only spell 6 fouls and look at guys that can really contribute in limited minutes. That is the key limited minutes!!!! With Josh Smith I think Darko is expendable now.
That'd be a deal starting at $10M the first year. If they do a S&T the salaries of Darko+Conley+Crittenton might work.
Atlanta will match the offer. With Detroit likely done as a contender, Boston's window being 2 years or less and Cleveland unable to surround Lebron with talent you have to look at Atlanta as having a great shot at being the best in the East for years to come starting very soon. Let Josh Smith walk and they are potentially letting some trips to the NBA Finals walk with him.
Agree, although I'm not sure about the NBA Finals comment. Otherwise, a full year of Bibby, Johnson, and Smith will only help the Hawks.....not to mention how good Horford is. They'd be foolish not to match the offer to keep Smith.
If AI doesn't walk from Philly I think they have a great shot at a eastern title. If you look at that starting 5 it really works. They took Boston to 7 games and that was before signing Elton Brand...
The Hawks took the Celtics seven games, not the 76'ers. The Sixers took the pistons 6 games I'm pretty sure.
I'm assuming it's a 5 year 58 M contact. If it's a 6 yr contract that's even better for the Hawks. Atlanta should match it.
There is no way they don't match after losing Childress. Agreed with others who say this is a non-story, or should simply be re-titled "Josh Smith to stay with Atlanta for 58 mil"
Josh Smith is not a done deal for Memphis yet, he could still be a Hawk. And for Darko he will play mainly at the C position so I don't see how he is expendable now.
if this is 5 year, josh smith got the deal he wanted, 6 year... he may have to sign for a cheaper 1 year rental type of contract. like the full mle. or just take the difference. which sucks for him. cause players like deng got 10 million. 2 young free agents that are likely going to be at least borderline stars might have to get less money than they should. i'm talking about smith and A.I. thats too bad. they were free agents at the wrong time.
