The 2013 NBA season has ended for the Atlanta Hawks, while they fell to the Indiana Pacers in six games and have hence challenged reduction from the postseason. With nothing but the offseason prior to the Hawks, there's one question on every mind in Atlanta. What is next for unrestricted free agent-to-be Josh Smith? During the Hawks' 81-73 damage during the season-ending Game 6, Smith finished with 14 points, seven rebounds, three assists, one stop and a steal on 5-of-16 shooting. This was still another outstanding mathematical effectiveness from Smith, but the one that fell short of expectations when it mattered most. Nevertheless, he will enter free agency as one of the very sought-after people on the open market. Throughout the 2012-13 NBA frequent season, Smith published averages of 17.5 points, 8.4 rebounds, 4.2 allows, 1.8 blocks and 1.2 steals per game. Based on Basketball-Reference.com, Smith was the only person in the NBA to average at the least 15.0 points, 8.0 boards, 4.0 facilitates, 1.5 blocks and 1.0 take simultaneously. The only person. Moreover, Smith stands at 6'9" and 225 pounds, and he boasts elite-level athleticism. At 27, he is also entering his prime and appears to have a deal worth of top-tier potential left within him. So what is next for the mercurial Hawks star? A Max Agreement Player? In accordance with Jeff Schultz of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Josh Smith believes he deserves a maximum agreement. It has delivered waves throughout the NBA community, as some have questioned if he deserves to be paid in the same way as the NBA's superstars. There are no questions necessary:, If you question Smith I feel like Iam a maximum player. I believe I provide a great deal to the dining table. I've plenty of usefulness. For what I do and what I give this ball club, I feel like Iam worth every penny. It's hard to dispute, when you measure the figures. During as young stars seeking important deals the amount of free agency, Smith may join the likes of Chris Paul, Dwight Howard and Andre Iguodala. Johnson will also be in competition with big men such as for instance Al Jefferson, Paul Millsap and Andrew Bynum. The issue is simplea'does he deserve to be paid like CP3 and D-12 certainly will? Or is he a person whose income depends on the match, as Jefferson and Millsap may actually be? To answer that question, we pose anothera'didn't the Brooklyn Nets, Indiana Pacers and New Orleans Hornets play on Brook Lopez, Roy Hibbert and Eric Gordon, respectively? Max contracts are no longer deals reserved for superstars, but rather participants with upside. With Smith possessing elite abilities but lacking an expression of persistence on the floor, it could fall to a team believing its instructor could mold him into the celebrity his abilities suggest. Whatever he's paid, there's only 1 question to aska'who's likely to spend him? Potential in Atlanta Before we speculate which teams can attract Josh Smith absent during the upcoming period of free agency, it's important that we start with his recent team. In the end, the Atlanta Hawks will offer Smith the absolute most money and the contract, as his Bird rights are held by them. According to Jeff Zillgitt of USA Today Sports, nevertheless, both Smith and Hawks basic manager Danny Ferry are looking for a fresh start. Zillgitt reports that it is, "highly unlikely" that Smith re-signs with the Hawks come early july. While as a staff he is considering he's taken a professional approach and stated the Hawks, that's considered a of public image way more than loyalty. After all, Smith is a native of College Park, Ga. Frank Broussard of ESPN Insider (registration needed) added fuel to his fire, reporting in mid-February that Ferry won't re-sign Smith come early july. While Ferry has neither verified nor denied the report, it's clear that there's doubt from both ends. After Ferry washed house earlier this summer and delivered out operation player Joe Johnson, it certainly appears as if Smith might be yet another offseason casualty. Involved Parties Per the previously alluded to report via Jeff Zillgitt, the Atlanta Hawks fielded presents for Josh Smith at the 2013 NBA trade deadline. The groups involved included the Boston Celtics, Brooklyn Nets, Milwaukee Bucks, Phoenix Suns and Washington Wizards. It's reasonable to suppose that each one of those groups will at the least gauge Smith's interest this forthcoming summer, whether economically potential or not. The truth of the situation is, every group and any can make a run at Smith when it can find out the financial areas of a package. The real issue, at this stage, is which teams could offer Smith probably the most beautiful deals? Groups including the Celtics and Houston Rockets instantly spring to mind. Boston was serious at the 2013 NBA industry deadline but refused to forget about Paul Pierce to have the deal done. After experiencing a first-round leave, but, the Celtics might be in for an active offseason by which they make cover and roster area for a big-name free agent. Johnson certainly fits the bill, whilst the Celtics need an athletic big to safeguard the side and function with Rajon Rondo in transition. When it comes to Rockets, they've mountains of cover area and a superstar in James Harden to capture Smith's attention. As a staff that works well in change but lacks a principal opponent, Smith certainly fits the bill for what it is looking for. Johnson will have a broad variety of possibilities come early july, but where he goes doesn't counter one well-known facta'J-Smoove will help shape the forthcoming period of free agency.
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