NBA 2016-17 Season Rumors and News: Will Josh Smith Find a Team? Cavs, Warriors Could Use J Smoove
The offseason is almost over, and no one's signing the 30-year-old veteran.
Where did the years go? Josh Smith jumped right into the NBA straight out of high school in 2004. He had spurts of brilliance and was a consistent stat-stuffing forward for the Atlanta Hawks.
Yet, twelve years later, the former Slam Dunk champion and pesky perimeter defender found himself out of the league. The NBA offseason is winding down as October draws near, and teams have yet to make an offer to the 30-year-old free agent.
It is a shame that a player of his caliber is being edged out of a growing league in need of versatility. Smith, along with Joe Johnson and Al Horford, kept the Hawks in consecutive postseason appearances from 2008 to 2013.
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He even posted All-Star numbers in 2010 and 2011, showing his athletic prowess on offense and his quickness on the defensive end. That being said, two of NBA's top-tier teams may not offer him another starting berth, but the veteran Smith might still provide the missing piece in their tentative lineups.
Defending the King
The Golden State Warriors have a lot to prove and everything to lose next season. Their acquisition of former MVP and three-time scoring champ Kevin Durant was the biggest news in the offseason, and had put a target on their backs.
Their fiercest rivals, of course, are the Cleveland Cavaliers, who rose from a 3-1 deficit to beat the Warriors for the NBA title. With the way LeBron James performed in the Finals, leading everyone in every important stat, Oakland would need some help against him.
Smith's ability to jump passing lanes and bother players on any position could be a necessary addition to the depleted Golden State bench. While Draymond Green can hold his own defending LeBron James, he could not possibly do it all 48 minutes, and Smith could provide him a breather on the task.
There is only one hole in this plan. The Warriors thrive on a fast-paced offense, and if Smith wants a role in Steve Kerr's lineup, he would need to improve his passing ability.
Another undersized center
Smith could either go to a "superteam" with an almost guaranteed deep playoff run—or to their Kryptonite. The Cavaliers are reportedly looking for cheaper options to a multi-year deal with J.R. Smith, which can cost them up to $43 million.
The veteran guard have had good times with the franchise, helping them win rings through streaky shooting and mature passing. It would be anti-climactic to let him go, but keeping him would prevent Cleveland from filling other holes in their roster. They also have a rising star in Jordan McRae, who could potentially replace Smith should he be able to retain his impressive Summer League form.
This brings the discussion to 'J Smoove.' Following center Timofey Mozgov's departure, the Cavaliers could use a bigman that can play behind Kevin Love and Tristan Thompson. Josh Smith is not a center, but at 6'10" and with the mobility he has on both ends, he could even crack the starting lineup. Cleveland has had success with the undersized Thompson, but Smith can provide the shot-blocking ability this roster sorely lacks.
Smith can also work his way inside and dunk the ball home, with Irving and Love opening the lane up for him. This also prevents him from chucking ill-advised threes like he did consistently the past few years.
If King James and Coach Tyronn Lue can manage Smith's trademark hotheadedness and convince him to buy into the Cavs system, the team could once again find themselves in the Finals. They achieved that with J.R. Smith, they might be able to do it again.
Whichever team gets there first, however, Josh Smith must find his way soon, or he enters the season in limbo.
