Were the Atlanta Hawks Smart in Keeping Josh Smith Through NBA Trade Deadline?

It was really starting to feel like this was the year the Atlanta Hawks were finally going to trade Josh Smith. The star big man had drawn a significant amount of interest from potential suitors leading up to the NBA trade deadline, yet it appears as though he’ll be suiting up as a Hawk for the duration of his contract.

It’s a contract that expires at season’s end, however, so of all the years to trade Smith, one would of naturally assumed this would be the year. The Milwaukee Bucks were engaged in serious discussions regarding a potential trade with the Hawks right up until the end, but Atlanta’s front office apparently either wasn’t getting what it wanted, believes it can re-sign Smith during the off-season rather than see him leave in free agency, or both.

Smith leads the Hawks in scoring, averaging 17.2 points per game. He’s also blocking over two shots per game while averaging 8.6 rebounds and 4.2 assists as well. Obviously, his presence is vital to the team’s success. But, given the risk of losing him after the season, was keeping him in town the smart move?

I’m going to go ahead and say yes. With a record of 29-23, the Hawks are sixth in the Eastern Conference and only three and a half games out of second place. The outcome of the 2012-13 season is too crucial to the franchise’s future to blow up by trading your best player. While it’s always wise to plan ahead, Atlanta was making the right decision in focusing on the now and seeing where this team can go with the dominant frontcourt of Smith and Al Horford playing as great as they are.

Smith is only 27 years old and is arguably still improving. He’s played in Atlanta for the entirety of his eight-year career and, if given enough money, I imagine he’ll stick around. That doesn’t mean overpay for him, but the Hawks can afford to cough up whatever any other NBA team will be prepared to offer him.

But that’s just one man’s opinion. Knowing the NBA, we’ll get to the off-season and some championship-hungry owner will have a max contract showing up at Smith’s door.