Feb 11, 2013; Dallas, TX, USA; Atlanta Hawks forward Josh Smith (5) during the game against the Dallas Mavericks at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

The most popular big name being linked to trade rumors these days has been Josh Smith of the Atlanta Hawks.

We’ve heard Smith’s name mentioned with the Los Angeles Lakers, Brooklyn Nets and now the San Antonio Spurs are reportedly interested in him.

The Spurs are among the teams with interest in Hawks forward Josh Smith, a source told Yahoo! Sports. Keep in mind, Hawks general manager Danny Ferry was previously with the Spurs.

Via Yahoo! Sports

Smith is in the final year of his contract making $13.2 million this season. He has come out and said he expects to be signed to a max contract this coming summer and the Hawks are likely not interested in committing that kind of cash to him.

That’s why there is a good chance Smith will be moved by the Feb. 21 trade deadline and the Hawks will try and get something back in return for him.

The Spurs currently have a very value trade piece in Stephen Jackson who is an expiring contract making $10.1 million this season. They could package him along with Tiago Splitter and Nando De Colo or Patty Mills for Smith.

This trade is an interesting prospect because Smith isn’t exactly the efficient type of offensive player that we see the Spurs filling their roster with. He’s not a great outside shooter but would be very good in an up-tempo offense like the one in San Antonio.

Smith is a versatile defender too that would undoubtedly take the Spurs up a notch defensively which is something they need to do to compete with the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Smith would be a solid player to have try and defend Kevin Durant, something the Spurs failed miserably at last year in the Western Conference Finals.

The Spurs have also been linked with the Utah Jazz in a rumored trade for Al Jefferson. It seems like they may see their window closing somewhat and want to try and go all-in this season for a title.

Kevin Liles-USA TODAY Sports

The Phoenix Suns are the latest team tied to Josh Smith trade rumors, according to Alex Kennedy of HoopsWorld.

The Suns were considering making a trade for Rudy Gay until the Memphis Grizzlies dealt him to the Toronto Raptors in a three-team deal a few days ago.

Now the Suns are targeting the Atlanta Hawks forward and looking to put together a package highlighted by Marcin Gortat.

Phoenix has attractive assets, particularly Marcin Gortat, who could play alongside Al Horford and give the Hawks one of the best frontcourts in the Eastern Conference. They also have Jared Dudley and Michael Beasley as well as the expiring contracts of Wes Johnson, Shannon Brown (whose 2013-14 salary is non-guaranteed), Sebastian Telfair and Jermaine O’Neal. Phoenix also has several first-round picks – their own pick and two additional first-round picks that they acquired in the Nash trade with the Los Angeles Lakers and the Johnson trade with the Minnesota Timberwolves. Luis Scola could also be involved in the trade, but only if the deal is a sign-and-trade since he can’t be traded until July 1 due to the fact that he was signed by the Suns after being amnestied by the Houston Rockets.

Via HoopsWorld

The Suns are hoping that if they get a player like Smith and re-sign him over the summer, it will help them to also sign another big name free agent like maybe even Dwight Howard.

The Suns aren’t the only team interested in Smith right now. The Houston Rockets, Charlotte Bobcats and Dallas Mavericks have also shown interest.

The rumors of Smith possibly going to the Los Angeles Lakers as part of a Pau Gasol swap are still out there as well. That’s the one trade that could really shake up the Western Conference if it happens and works out.

The Lakers could still make the playoffs this year and a trade for Smith might make them an actual threat even against a top-seeded team from the West in the first round.

If Smith goes elsewhere like Phoenix, it won’t have much impact on this season.

Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports

Atlanta Hawks forward Josh Smith has been mentioned as a potential trade candidate all season long.

The trade deadline is Feb. 21 and it looks like there is a good chance to Hawks will trade Smith.

Expectations are growing that the Hawks will trade forward Josh Smith, a source said. Smith has averaged 17 points, 8.6 rebounds. 4.7 assists and 2.1 blocks this month despite the trade speculation.

Via Yahoo! Sports

The most popular Josh Smith trade rumors has sent him to the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for Pau Gasol. Gasol has been coming off the bench recently for the Lakers and isn’t thrilled with that role.

The Hawks just lost Lou Williams for the year and GM Danny Ferry still has the future in mind when it comes to clearing cap space and hasn’t been the biggest Smith supporter either.

There has been some thought that the Oklahoma City Thunder should try and go after Smith too. They could maybe buy low on him at this point and Smith would be a great fit to the already versatile Thunder roster.

The Thunder could package Kendrick Perkins, Jeremy Lamb and Eric Maynor for Smith. Smith is making $13 million this season in the last year of his contract.

The big issue is that Smith recently said he believed he was a max player. It would be impossible for the Thunder to re-sign Smith to a max extension unless they included Serge Ibaka in the trade.

Renting Smith for the rest of the season for Perkins would be a decent deal for the Thunder too though. There is still a chance the Thunder will amnesty Perkins down the road and acquiring Smith would really improve the Thunder’s chances at an NBA title this season.

The reality is that the Thunder would have to absolutely be in love with Smith to consider trading for him. They would have to choose Smith over Ibaka and they would never do that so soon after signing Ibaka to an extension.

A Smith trade could still greatly affect the Thunder even if he isn’t traded to them. Smith on the Lakers with Kobe Bryant, Dwight Howard and Steve Nash could really improve that roster and turn the Lakers into a potential sleeper in the Western Conference.

Daniel Shirey-USA TODAY Sports

The NBA trade deadline is less than two months away now and a team like the Oklahoma City Thunder could be in position to make a deal right around then.

The Thunder are said to not be interested in making any trades as of right now but there’s always a chance that a deal Thunder GM Sam Presti can’t pass up will come along.

Anderson Varejao is the most common named linked to Oklahoma City trade rumors but Sam Amico of Fox Sports Ohio thinks OKC could make a play for Josh Smith of the Atlanta Hawks.

Thunder have no interest in trades right now, btw. If they make move at trade deadline, expect it to be more along lines of a Josh Smith.

— Sam Amico (@SamAmicoFSO) December 28, 2012

If Varejao seems like a stretch for Thunder fans, then Smith definitely does.

Smith is in the last year of his contract with the Hawks making $13.2 million this season. He’s having a great season with Atlanta but with his future uncertain with the team, Atlanta could elect to unload him instead of trying to keep him.

Like with a Varejao trade, the Thunder have assets that may attract a team like the Hawks. The value of Smith and Varejao isn’t that different either. Since Smith is in a contract year it will be harder for Atlanta to hang on to him past the trade deadline. Also, Varejao is having a career-year at the center position which gives him a little extra value over Smith.

The Thunder would definitely have to involve a few of their 2013 first round picks in a trade for Smith. Then they’d probably throw in Jeremy Lamb and/or Perry Jones III. For Smith, they’d probably have no problem including both.

The Thunder would have to use Kevin Martin for the salaries to match up. Then ideally, OKC would throw in Kendrick Perkins while Atlanta throws in Kyle Korver but that is extremely wishful thinking for Thunder fans.

The biggest issue for the Thunder would be the prospect of keeping Smith long-term. They definitely aren’t interested in renting Smith for this season unlike how they may end up doing that with Martin.

The Thunder would have to re-sign Smith after this season and he would have to take a pay cut to stay with the team. The Thunder would also definitely have to get rid of Perkins either by trade or amnestying after the season to have any kind of chance at keeping Smith.

It’s actually not that impossible of a situation for the Thunder who are already going to have to pay Perkins $8.4 and $9.1 million in the next two seasons. Then if the Thunder are hoping Martin re-signs and takes less money, the equivalent of Perkins and Martin would equal around the same amount it would take to keep Smith.

Acquiring Smith would make perfect sense for the Thunder. We already know just how deadly of a small ball team they are right now and throwing Smith into the mix would enhance that to the fullest.

The Thunder would be totally committed to small ball similar to the Miami Heat. Their centers would consist of Serge Ibaka and Nick Collison splitting minutes while Kevin Durant, Thabo Sefolosha and Smith make up the wing positions.

As we get closer to the trade deadline, the Thunder may turn from a team who isn’t interested in making a trade to one that is listening to offers. Every team has to at least listen. And when Smith’s name comes up, the Thunder definitely will be.

Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports

We are a little more than a quarter of the way finished with the NBA season now. The Oklahoma City Thunder are currently the hottest team in the league with the best record and on an 11-game win streak.

The New York Knicks still hold the top spot in the Eastern Conference just a game and a half ahead of the Miami Heat. The Los Angeles Clippers and San Antonio Spurs are two games back each of the Thunder.

A few disappointments so far have been the Boston Celtics and Denver Nuggets who each would barely make the playoffs if they started today. But no team has been more disappointing than the Los Angeles Lakers so far.

Team success has a lot to do with MVP candidacy. Now let’s look at the players who are in the running for the award so far this year.

1. Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City Thunder

Durant still deserves the top spot here with the Thunder rolling the way that they are. Durant is putting up career numbers in terms of PER and true shooting percentage as he has a shot at joining the 50-40-90 club. His improvement from last season will be a big reason why he is considered the MVP so far this season especially with James Harden’s departure.

2. Carmelo Anthony, New York Knicks

The Knicks just keep winning while Anthony is playing the best basketball of his career. He really seems to have carried over his Olympic play to the NBA season and it has been perfect for this Knicks team. The veterans surrounding Anthony are only helping to lift him to another level this season too.

3. LeBron James, Miami Heat

You can’t drop LeBron too far down the MVP ladder. He’s still leading the league in PER and putting up better all-around numbers than anyone. The Heat just haven’t been winning quite as much as you’d expect. All it’s going to take is a big month or two from LeBron and the Heat for him to get back in poll position of this race.

4. Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers

What Kobe is doing at this age and leading the league in scoring as efficiently as he’s ever been is remarkable. The issue is the Lakers aren’t winning, at all. Once they do and most people still believe they will eventually get their act together, Kobe will be right up there in the MVP discussion.

5. Chris Paul, Los Angeles Clippers

The Clippers are quietly on a winning streak just as impressive as the Thunder’s. Paul is 5th in the NBA in PER behind only the four players ahead of him in these Power Rankings. The Clippers look much better than a season ago, more prepared to make a deep run in the playoffs. Their depth has been a big reason for their success though so it’s not all Paul which is why he ranks only 5th.

6. Zach Randolph, Memphis Grizzlies

The Grizzlies have gotten off to a great start this season thanks mostly to Randolph. Randolph isn’t near the top of the league in PER but his averages of 17.2 points and 12.7 rebounds per game will not go unnoticed by MVP voters. Memphis has shown that they are as tough as anyone in the league to match up with and Randolph being their power forward is the biggest reason why.

7. Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors

Curry has led the Warriors to the fifth best record in the Western Conference so far this season. The key has simply been his health. He’s averaging 19.7 points, 6.5 assists and 4.1 rebounds per game. His shooting numbers have not been their best either so expect those to rise as the season goes on. The Warriors have been one of the biggest surprises of the year playing this well so early. If they can keep it up, Curry will deserve some MVP attention.

8. Josh Smith, Atlanta Hawks

Smith and the Hawks have also surprised the NBA in their first season after Joe Johnson currently holding the third best record in the Eastern Conference. They have many impressive wins including against the Thunder in OKC. Smith is averaging 16.6 points, 8.1 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game to lead the Hawks.

9. Rajon Rondo, Boston Celtics

Rondo is still leading the league in assists by far and if the Celtics can get their act together and move up the standings in the Eastern Confernce, he will keep moving up in the MVP Power Rankings. He’s averaging 12.9 points, 12.7 assists and 5.3 rebounds per game this year as he looks to be playing the best ball of his career.

10. Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City Thunder

Westbrook will never win the NBA because he is on the same team as Kevin Durant but he still deserves to be ahead of others in the MVP Power Rankings. Like Durant, Westbrook is also having a career year passing the ball better than ever and playing defense at the highest level we’ve ever seen from him. The Thunder needed Durant and Westbrook to step up and fill the Harden void this year and both have done exactly that.

Dale Zanine-US PRESSWIRE

The Atlanta Hawks shocked a lot of people beating the Boston Celtics 83-74 on Sunday to win Game 1 of the series.

The Celtics were without Ray Allen for the game and got off to a very slow start while Atlanta looked fresh.

The Hawks were led by Josh Smith who scored 22 points to go with 18 rebounds and four assists and completely outplayed Kevin Garnett.

In the fourth quarter with frustrations high, Boston’s Rajon Rondo was ejected from the game after arguing a call and then bumping referee Marc Davis.

It is expected now that Rondo will be suspended for Game 2 and possible Game 3 because of the incident.

Rondo had 20 points and 11 assists in the game and surely the Celtics will have a much tougher time beating the Hawks in this series without him.

If the suspension is just one game and Rondo and Allen return for a Game 3 at home, the series shouldn’t be viewed as completely over but it will be tougher than most thought for the Celtics to advance to the second round.

Spruce Derden-US PRESSWIRE

The Los Angeles Clippers pulled off one of the most improbable comebacks in NBA history late Sunday night. The Clippers ended their Game 1 with the Memphis Grizzlies on a 28-3 run to stun a Memphis crowd and win 99-98.

Chris Paul had 14 points and 11 assists and scored the final two points of the game at the free throw line with 24 seconds left.

Nick Young made three consecutive three-pointers for the Clippers during the run and led the team with 19 points.

The Clippers came into the game with not a lot of playoff experience and it showed as the Grizzlies immediately jumped out to a big lead.

Memphis of course had the great run last year in the playoffs and were looking as good as any team thus far in the playoffs this year.

The Grizzlies may have had a little fool’s gold though with their percentage from beyond the arc making 11-of-16 threes before going cold in the final minutes of the game.

This series promised to be one of the best first round matchups and with the Clippers stealing Game 1 on the road it probably will live up to that.

Richard Rowe-US PRESSWIRE

The Oklahoma City Thunder will play Game 2 tonight against the Dallas Mavericks. It will be the second game in a TNT double-header with the Miami Heat and New York Knicks playing first. Orland and Indiana will also tip Game 2 tonight on NBA TV.

The Thunder looked great in the final quarter against Dallas coming back to win thanks to Kevin Durant’s game-winner but they will have to play with the same intensity they showed in the fourth quarter for 48 minutes to ensure another victory.

Miami blew out New York badly in Game 1 but all the Knicks have to do is steal Game 2 and they’ve done their job of getting homecourt. After the Clippers-Grizzlies game, a complete flip-flop of fortunes in the Miami-New York series doesn’t seem as farfetched.

Indiana – like Memphis – blew what should have been an easy Game 1, home win to Orlando. The Magic scored the final 11 points of Game 1 to win.

The Pacers showed a sizable inside advantage with no Dwight Howard and Roy Hibbert blocking nine shots in the game but he also only scored eight points. The Pacers will need to find more reliable offense to get by the Magic tonight.

Josh D. Weiss-US PRESSWIRE

Josh Smith made the big shots down the stretch. Oklahoma City did not.

The Thunder lost for the first time in eight games Saturday night falling 97-90 on the road to the Atlanta Hawks.

Smith led the Hawks with 30 points, 12 rebounds and four assists including some huge buckets when Atlanta needed them.

With 5:18 left in the game and Atlanta leading 83-79, Smith crashed the lane and crashed on Serge Ibaka stealing any momentum Oklahoma City had.

Then clinging to a 93-90 lead with 1:36 left, Smith isolated on the right side of the floor and converted a spinning one-hander from eight feet out to put the Hawks up 95-90.

The Thunder lost by seven but had their chances down the stretch as they missed their final five shots, four of which were three-point attempts.

Durant scored 35 points in the game but accounted for four of those final five misses in the last 1:17. Durant played 43 minutes in the game and the entire fourth quarter so some sort of physical or at least mental fatigue was probably the cause.

The shots were decent looks even the threes as Atlanta didn’t get all the way up on Durant and the shots were very close to dropping. On the road, you can’t always bail yourself out with long balls.

The Thunder really lost this game earlier as they turned the ball over 21 times in the game compared to just 12 for Atlanta.

The Hawks had more possessions because of that as well as some good work on the offensive glass by Zaza Pachulia who had nine offensive boards in 41 minutes of action.

The Hawks were short-handed without Joe Johnson and of course Al Horford but played hard defense all night and didn’t give up anything easy to Oklahoma City.

Josh D. Weiss-US PRESSWIRE

The Thunder got 35 from Durant and 25 from Russell Westbrook but only 10 from James Harden. Harden was a difference maker in the first half with seven points but very quite in the second scoring just once.

Kendrick Perkins was in foul trouble all night and eventually fouled out giving Cole Aldrich more run than usual. Aldrich looked promising with six points and seven rebounds (five offensive) to go with three blocks. It seems like if Aldrich can get more action he could become a very solid contributor for the Thunder.

People are going to knock Oklahoma City for the offense down the stretch but there really wasn’t much wrong with it. They’ve won games with offense worse than what they showed down the stretch. They didn’t isolate exclusively like we’ve grown accustomed to seeing from them and all of Durant’s looks came off screens away from the ball.

The Hawks just made it come down to Durant and Westbrook beating them by themselves and they made a few less shots than we’re used to and the Thunder came away with the loss.

Oklahoma City (29-8) is off Sunday and will return home Monday night to host the Dallas Mavericks (22-16) on NBA TV.

Josh D. Weiss-US PRESSWIRE

Thunder (7-game winning streak)
106.5 Offensive Efficiency (2nd)
99.2 Defensive Efficiency (13th)
96.0 Pace (6th)
56.9 True Shooting % (2nd)
51.5 Rebound Rate (5th)

Hawks (1-game winning streak)
99.0 Offensive Efficiency (20th)
96.9 Defensive Efficiency (5th)
92.3 Pace (23rd)
51.6 True Shooting % (19th)
49.3 Rebound Rate (21st)

The Oklahoma City Thunder have no reeled off seven wins in a row and have the best record in the NBA with the Miami Heat losing last night. Tonight they stay on the road in Atlanta to play a solid defensive team that can come close to matching Oklahoma City’s athleticism in some ways.

Kevin Durant was at his bets in the Thunder’s last game especially in the fourth quarter where he scored 18 of his 38 points to help Oklahoma City come from down 11 entering the period and win 105-102.

Josh D. Weiss-US PRESSWIRE

Durant and the Thunder have beaten the Hawks the last four times that they have played with Durant averaging 31.0 points.

Oklahoma City has been playing like one of the best teams in the league of late and Atlanta isn’t at full strength.

Atlanta has been without Al Horford for some time now and should be without Joe Johnson tonight who is out with a knee and expected to miss another game or two.

Josh Smith has stepped up somewhat in this absence including 24 points and 19 rebounds in his last game. Smith shouldn’t be terribly effective against Oklahoma City tonight who will strut out Serge Ibaka on the other side to try and contain him and surely invite the 18-foot jumper that everyone kills Smith for taking.

The Thunder have been able to take advantage of their Big Three getting production from at least one at all times. Last game it was Russell Westbrook who carried the load when the team seemed to have no life. Durant became the closer and James Harden chipped in with big buckets from time-to-time.

It’s been almost one year exactly since these teams played so the Hawks literally haven’t seen this Harden yet. Tonight with the second unit expect Harden to get to the rim and control the pace with a very efficient night.

Westbrook has been ruled out of tonight’s game however so the challenge will be tougher than first anticipated. Reggie Jackson will get a chance to step up after not having the greatest season so far. This is where the Thunder will really miss Eric Maynor.

It will be interesting to see the Thunder without Westbrook this season and how Jackson, Durant and Harden handle the playmaking.