USA TODAY Sports
The Nets are pushing hard to trade for Josh Smith, according to a report.
The Brooklyn Nets are "aggressively pursuing" a trade for Atlanta Hawks forward Josh Smith, according to ESPN's Chris Broussard. Smith is believed to be available, but it's unclear whether the Nets have the assets necessary to land him. Broussard mentions that Brooklyn is offering Kris Humphries and MarShon Brooks -- the latter a player who notably wasn't included in the blockbuster Joe Johnson trade between the teams months ago -- but that the Hawks are looking to also grab the Nets' first-round pick.
Smith has indicated he'll be looking for a massive payday this summer as he hits unrestricted free agency for the first time in his career. The Nets already have a massive payroll of $85 million locked in for next season. Humphries is due $12 million, however, so the major commitment Brooklyn would make by swapping out Hump for Smith would come in 2014-15 and beyond, assuming the Nets were able to retain Smith in free agency.
Smith is a versatile player who can pass, score and rebound well, but his best contributions tend to come on defense. Power forward has been the one consistently iffy position in Brooklyn's starting five as Humphries, Andray Blatche and Mirza Teletovic struggle. As noted, the Nets executed a massive trade with the Hawks in the summer.
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