Josh Smith wants to play with Celtics

The Atlanta Hawks have begun testing what they could acquire for Josh Smith on the trade market, and the pogo-stick forward reportedly would not mind a change of scenery. One of the teams on his short list of preferred trade destinations? The Boston Celtics. (Yahoo! Sports)

The Atlanta Hawks have started to gauge trade interest on forward Josh Smith, and Smith isn’t averse to ending his seven-year stay with his hometown team, league sources told Yahoo! Sports on Monday.

Smith hasn’t requested a trade, but has privately told league friends that the Boston Celtics, New Jersey Nets, Houston Rockets and Orlando Magic are his preferred destinations should the Hawks decide to move him.

“The relationship has run its course,” said a league source with knowledge of the dynamic. …

The Hawks have looked to identify veteran players near the end of their contracts, sources said, but have had no serious discussions on trading Smith.

“They’re looking for a change,” one Eastern Conference executive said. “They would die to be rid of Joe Johnson’s contract or move Smith, but they won’t give [Smith] away. They want something in return.”

I understand why Smith would make a lot of sense on the Celtics. He’s one of the premier athletes in the NBA, a pterodactyl-winged forward who can at times dominate both ends of the floor. He’s still young (25 years old), will make a reasonable $13 million per year for the next two seasons, and would provide enough highlights to feed a small family. If the Celtics could acquire him without losing any of the Fab Four, Smith might extend their championship window by another year or two, then help the Celtics transition into a Rondo-centric future.

I would love to see the high flying J-Smoove in Celtics green but not at the expense of losing either Ray or KG. If the Celtics could somehow manage a trade involving a sign and trade with Big Baby, a draft pick and Jermaine O'Neal since that is what the Hawks want an expiring contract(O'Neal) and a Center so they can move Al Horford to the power forward position.This move would definitely help the ease the burden on many of aging vets if we can make this deal without giving up any of the core players. Our lineup would be probably be the best in the league especially if Ray comes off the bench to take control of the second unit.

The lineup with the acquisition of Josh smith:
C Kevin Garnett (Easier on him with not many opposing Centers in the league)
PF Josh Smith
SF Jeff Green(We need to resign him!)
SG Paul Pierce
PG Rajon Rondo

Sixth Man
Ray Allen(Best sixth man in the league)