Josh Smith Rumors: Thursday

We're counting down the hours until today's 2:00pm CST trade deadline, and Josh Smith still appears likely to be on the move sometime before then. In yesterday's round-up of Smith rumors, we passed along word from HoopsWorld's Alex Kennedy that "source after source" indicates Smith will be dealt today. ESPN.com's Marc Stein reports the same thing, writing that the Hawks are expected to trade their veteran forward for the best deal that won't hurt their long-term financial flexibility. We'll track today's Smith rumors right here, with the latest added to the top of the page throughout the day:

  • The Nets are still "hanging by a thread" in the Smith talks, tweets TNT's David Aldridge. Milwaukee still appears to be the leader, Aldridge confirms.
  • The Suns are essentially out of the running for Smith, according to Sam Amick of USA Today, who adds that the Bucks are viewed as the favorites (Twitter link).
  • The Bucks and Hawks are still "seriously engaged" in talks for Smith, tweets Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports.
  • The Rockets appear to be out of the mix for Smith, tweets Sam Amick of USA Today.

Earlier updates:

  • Atlanta is still underwhelmed by the offers for Smith, but there's a still a belief the Hawks will settle for the best one, tweets Alex Kennedy of HoopsWorld.
  • If the Hawks keep Smith through the deadline, there's "basically zero chance" he re-signs with Atlanta, according to Jeff Zillgitt of USA Today (via Twitter). That's why a team like the Rockets is unlikely to make a big trade offer today.
  • The Nets haven't given up on Smith and still believe they're in the running, tweets Stefan Bondy of the New York Daily News.
  • A deal involving Smith and Monta Ellis is unlikely, tweets Ken Berger of CBSSports.com.
  • One executive involved in the Smith talks tells Chris Broussard of ESPN.com that the odds of a deal are down to "50/50" (Twitter link).
  • If the Nets don't land Smith (and they appear to be a long shot), the club will likely stand pat  at the deadline, says Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports (via Twitter).
  • The Bucks and Suns are the current frontrunners for Smith, with the Celtics still lurking as a "dark horse," tweets Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports.
  • ESPN.com's Chris Broussard's sources insist that the Bucks aren't trading Monta Ellis to Atlanta as part of a Smith deal (Twitter link). I could see the Hawks being intrigued by a package that includes Ekpe Udoh, expiring contracts, and picks.
  • The Hawks and Bucks are in serious talks about Smith, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports (via Twitter). Monta Ellis and Ekpe Udoh have been discussed, and Devin Harris could be a part of any deal as well.
  • The Suns "seem to be bowing out" of the Smith derby, according to Steve Kyler of HoopsWorld (via Twitter). I still wouldn't rule out a late push from Phoenix, but it doesn't seem as if the club is the frontrunner at the moment.
  • The Rockets are involved at a "high level" in talks for Smith, a league source tells Ken Berger of CBSSports.com (Twitter link). However, since Houston has the potential to sign Smith as a free agent this summer, the team has some leverage and isn't willing to part with a ton of assets in a trade (Twitter link).
  • The Nets are continuing to search today for a third team to help facilitate a Smith deal, according to Stein. Meanwhile, Milwaukee remains one of the most likely destinations for Smith, but it remains to be seen whether the Bucks will be willing to include Monta Ellis in their offer, says Stein.
  • Paul Pierce or Rajon Rondo would likely to be required in any offer from the Celtics to attract the Hawks' interest, and Boston is reluctant to include either player, according to Stein.
  • More from Stein: The Hawks have yet to find an offer they particularly like and are hoping that another team like the Rockets jumps back into the mix. Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports tweets that Houston is still "lingering" in talks for Smith, but that Atlanta's desire for Omer Asik and Chandler Parsons to be included in a deal is a non-starter for the Rockets, who will have room to make an aggressive offer for Smith in free agency this summer.
  • Rival teams believe that the Hawks are looking for a trade scenario in which they can ship Smith to a Western Conference club, according to Wojnarowski (via Twitter).

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