T21

I think it's worth a shot... Not only that we would get an "Energizer Bunny" PG to force Smoove and Horf to play big, but we would also get JJ's contract off our books.

While we're at this trade business for obvious (trade deadline) and emotional (making Hawks better) reasons... I came up with an idea that IMO would benefit Hawks in more than one way... I'm proposing a trade that would send JJ, JT and Kirk to Celtics for Rondo and Allen (works on ESPN's Trade Machine). We would finally land a true PG (and an All-Star) who can push the tempo and create easy opportunities for both Smoove and Horf. We would also re-gain financial flexibility for the future (to sign other significant pieces). The outlook for next season would be much brighter... our core would be Rondo, Smoove and Horf... surround them with smart veterans, especially good shooters, add some size and go for it! P.S. Knowing that their window of opportunity for doing anything significant has been closed, Boston might be lured to take this bait and start over with Teague, JJ, Pierce...

I would try to keep both Smoove and Horf, because they present unique tandem. They are undersized for 4 & 5, but it's an advantage against most opponents, especially if they would play along-side true PG who can push the tempo and create easy opportunities... That's where Rondo fits in! I would do whatever it takes to trade JJ (instead of Smoove and Horf) to get Rondo! It would also relieve us of JJ's huge contract... I proposed a trade that would send JJ, JT and Kirk to Celtics for Rondo and Allen. The outlook for next season would be much brighter... our core would be Rondo, Smoove and Horf... surround them with smart veterans, especially good shooters, add some size and go for it!

If Smoove is in the right situation, he could become a better player... In other words, he would respect coaching authority, veteran teammates, and most importantly gain understanding of what he needs to do on the court to make himself more effective and reliable. P.S. What you've said about Smoove, could be also said about Rondo... others around the League are also questioning Rondo's trade value for exactly same reasons that you've mentioned. They just play different positions...

We should try to lure Celtics to take JJ off our hands! I think that Celtics are one of rare teams that would actually trade for JJ and his huge contract. JJ would become their 2nd option behind Pierce...

I just checked ESPN's NBA Trade Machine and JJ, JT and Kirk for Rondo and Allen works. Allen has an expiring contract. We would re-gain so much needed financial flexibility to add other pieces in the off-season.

The way I see it... If we can get Rondo and Allen (for let's say JJ and JT), we'll get a PG who would be perfect alongside Smoove and Horf. He would truly push the tempo and get the most out of those two!

According to the same source, Celtics would also be willing to trade Rondo. The catch is that they would want a PG in return... so Teague would logically have to be included. P.S. I was wondering if Celtics would go for JJ and JT for Rondo and Allen...

http://hoopshype.com/rumors.htm Allegedly, Celtics GM Ainge is very interesting to acquire Smoove. According to the article, they would pitch Garnett... Although Smoove's trade value is somewhat questionable, I wouldn't pull the trigger on this one. Garnett is in the twighlight of his career... If Celtics would offer Rondo and another piece, then who knows...

We get better defensively at 1 & 5, with more depth, without losing talent, athleticism, youth... Lineup and bench look solid top to bottom, very creative. My only concern is that we would get 2 players that have bad rep as being hard to coach...

How 'bout JJ and JT for Rondo and Allen? Maybe C's would take JJ off our hands... P.S. No way I'd give Horf and JT for Rondo (JO is useless).

We have to try to get some sort of value for Kirk's exp. contract. That's a no-brainer...

Given the right opportunity, Batum could turn into an All-Star! He plays on both ends of the court, extremely versatile, he can guard 1-3, and he needs just a little more confidence and a defined role to blossom! P.S. Scottie Pippen type...

I admire your creativity... and I must say that our lineup would really look solid. However, big deals like that rarely happen'... I also must say (again) that I'd like to get rid of JJ and his contract first (hopefully via trade), because it's a huge burden that will keep us away from getting better and adding necessary pieces to truly contend. We're all reacting too emotional. We all love our Hawks and we are seeing that the things are going bad. We saw great potential of this group at the start of the season, but then higher powers took over things that we cannot control. Right now this season doesn't look bright and we're all looking for quick fixes. However, we must think with cool heads and avoid another painful re-building process... IMO Al and Smoove are younger, with affordable contracts and we must try to move JJ because he is not going to get any better.

People, and coaches also qualify in this category, like to know what they can count on, where they stand so to speak... and Smoove doesn't fit that part of equation. Coaches see the world of talent (their own words), but Smoove is batting .300 in a wrong sport where you must show up in at least 75% of games and give your best (whatever that is on a given night).

I understand your point... However, I'm very certain that we cannot move any further as a franchise with JJ and his heavy burden (nothing against JJ)... so I'm just willing to explore options that would relieve us of his huge contract, while getting some value in return.

No.1. rule in Economy... buy when the price is low... sell when your on top! I'm all for changes, as long it makes us better and give us financial flexibility... at the same time, we must not get into a panic mode and make changes that make no difference. Sure I like Nash, but he is pretty much done. Basically, this is Al for Gortat deal, and although Gortat is a true centar and a very good player, I still like Horf better!

Once we firmly realize that we cannot advance any further than 2nd round with JJ as our so-called leader, best player, highest paid player... then JJ becomes nothing more than the burden in the form of his contract... so we must conclude that we must try to get that burden off our backs... and the best way is to try to trade him (and not use amnesty clause) and hopefully get valuable return in the process... So, yes! I'd trade him for Monta and Biedrins.

I'm just pitching a scenario that would take JJ's contract off our backs and land us either true PG or Center... P.S. Even without Howard... D-Will would be better fit with Smoove and Horf (he would maximize their potentials), than JJ.

Hawks get Deron Williams Nets get JJ and Teague It works on ESPN trade machine... We would get an All-Star PG and increase our chances to sign/or trade for Dwight Howard! D-Will, D-12 and Smoove as a new core...

Two moves that would bring us on the verge of ECF without suffering pains of another re-building process or mediocrity... Starting lineup of: PG Rondo SG Allen SF Marvin (or T-Mac) PF Smoove C Howard ... looks great! Round out the roster with veteran role players, particularly good shooters...

I'd do it! I would try tomake it work without giving up our 1st rounder. Boston just might be the best trading partner to unload JJ... They're gonna be pretty much desperate to get younger and they're financialy able to absorb JJ's contract.

There's a key question! Do we truly want to win and go all the way? If ASG has those intentions, then we got the answer! Yes! Do everything possible to get Howard and a true PG! That, plus one of Al or Smoove should be the new core built on solid foundations and with financial flexibility to add necessary pieces.

I look at it this way... This season was f***ed up before it started with the whole sharade between NBA and PU..., Then Al went down and our chances of contending faded away. Although we had some positive outings, deep down inside we all knew that this roster and it's financial backbone had serious flaws and limitations. Reality is that project that started some years ago reached it's peak and it's time to start the new cycle! Yes, the situation doesn't look bright, especially for this season (nothing new there)... However, this could be an opportunity to make some changes... and those should be: 1. Trade or use the amnesty clause on JJ and his contract, 2. Trade Marvin, Kirk and one of Al or Smoove, 3. Get true center and a point guard to form a new core with either Al or Smoove (Teague as the backup PG). It may sound radical, but the longer we wait, our bargaining position will deteriorate... It's just a scenario, but it would certainly make sense if ASG truly wants to go all the way...

I wasn't claiming that we could get Pau for Marv, Kirk and a draft pick... I just suggested that those were our obvious trading chips and that the deal must be made! It would surely take more to get Pau... I just threw the idea out there, also to get you oppinion what other players we could potentialy target that fit this bill (size, rebounding, post play). P.S. We must make a serious move, not just a tweak... and in order to to that we'll have to give some valuable pieces, I understand that.