Josh Smith open to joining the Boston Celtics

Apparently, the Atlanta Hawks are getting sick of Josh Smith.

Smith, the high-flying power forward who has been a mainstay with Atlanta since entering the league and has been a major contributor to the franchise's turnaround and return to relevance, is likely to be traded during whatever offseason the NBA has this year. According to Yahoo! Sports, the Boston Celtics are on Smith's list of preferable trade destinations.

The Atlanta Hawks have started to gauge trade interest on forward Josh Smith, and Smith isn’t averse to ending his seven-year stay with his hometown team, league sources told Yahoo! Sports on Monday.

Smith hasn’t requested a trade, but has privately told league friends that the Boston Celtics, New Jersey Nets, Houston Rockets and Orlando Magic are his preferred destinations should the Hawks decide to move him.

“The relationship has run its course,” said a league source with knowledge of the dynamic.

There’s been growing acrimony between Smith and the organization, sources said, largely because of the feeling that Smith has been too convenient of a scapegoat. Smith had one of his most complete seasons for the Hawks, averaging 16.5 points, 8.5 rebounds and 3.3 assists.

Hawks GM Rick Sund has long coveted Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen – two aging Celtics entering the final years of contracts – but Celtics GM Danny Ainge has yet to show an inclination to break up his core for next season.

Would I love to see Josh Smith in a Celtics uniform? Absolutely. He's young, athletic and has moments and stretches where he looks like he could be one of the best players that the NBA has to offer. He's a player that Rajon Rondo would salivate over having on his team as the number of lobs being thrown during the duration of a game could be record-breaking. Smith can grab a ton of rebounds just on his leaping ability alone and has the ability to be a great help defender.

Would I love to see Josh Smith in a Celtics uniform at the expense of Kevin Garnett or Ray Allen? I don't know about that. KG and Allen, regardless of their age, have defined roles in Doc Rivers' system and they continue to be successful at those roles. Garnett is still the unquestioned leader of the defense while Ray has to constantly be accounted for on the perimeter by the opponent. Smith, while a good help defender, has questioned ability about always being where he needs to be on that end of the floor. Also, while teamed up with Rondo, the Celtics could have two guys that the opponent doesn't truly need to defend outside of 15 feet. Smith can also be a coiled spring and team chemistry has to be factored in to any move that Danny Ainge is thinking about making (see Kendrick Perkins).

As in any other trade, there is a risk/reward aspect to this. The Celtics would get their youth, but lose a ton of leadership and possibly damage team chemistry.

There's a reason why I don't want Danny's job.