Reply With Quote
hawks'll match
Griz sign Hawks' Smith to offer sheet
By Ronald Tillery (Contact), Memphis Commercial Appeal
Originally published 08:51 a.m., August 8, 2008
Updated 08:51 a.m., August 8, 2008
The Memphis Grizzlies have sent a contract offer worth $58 million to Atlanta Hawks restricted free agent Josh Smith today, according to multiple NBA sources.
As the only team left with significant room under the salary cap, the Griz have shifted out of a summer holding pattern and targeted the versatile 6-9, 235-pound forward.
Atlanta has seven days to match, per league rules, once Smith receives the offer sheet.
Smith's numbers have increased in each of his four NBA seasons since Atlanta made him a first-round pick out of high school in 2004. He averaged 17.2 points, 8.2 rebounds and 2.8 blocks last season, helping the Hawks make the playoffs.
The Hawks have said they would match any contract offer to the 22-year-old Smith, but are on the hook next season with big contracts for Mike Bibby and Joe Johnson.
Should the Griz land Smith he is expected to play power forward alongside Rudy Gay at small forward, O.J. Mayo at shooting guard and Mike Conley at point guard.
In another development, the Griz have identified Iranian center Hamed Ehadadi as a person of interest and hope to sign the 7-2, 23-year-old next week. Ehadadi last played for Saba Battery of the Iran Super League. He'll also play for the Iran national team in the Olympics.
Ehadadi recently collected 19 points and 16 rebounds in summer league action at Utah. He amassed 20 points and nine rebounds against Argentina and 20 points, 20 rebounds and six blocks against Serbia in Olympic tune-ups.
hawks'll match
Damn, if this goes through, the Grizzlies can be a force in the east.
Oh, and link?
Iranian center Hamed Ehadadi
Now that's interesting. If the Grizzlies signed him, would he get boo'd when he is introduced in stadiums around the NBA just for being Iranian or would he be just another foreign player in the NBA?
I guess being a "person of interest" means something different in the NBA than it does to the police.
I wonder what would happen to an American player if they had to tour through Iran.
Good job edgar with the scoop!
He's probably have to endure a round of "death to America chants".
The language in this press release is weird and how come none of the major publications (yahoo! or espn) have the story? It says the Grizzles have sent an offer sheet to the Atlanta Hawks Josh Smith, not that he has signed it. But then it says Atlanta has 7 days to match? It gives a number but not the length of years?
Hey Forest, Memphis isn't in the EC. They're in our conference, AND our division.
Uhm he was being sarcastic.
Local newspapers for ya.
It was a joke.
Got a chance to see Ehadadi play a game in the RMR, and hopefully more people will get a chance to see him play during the Olympics. My impression was that he was probably the best player on that team. He uses his size well, and has some good offensive moves in the post. However, he still seems a bit raw (as is generally expected for a 23-year-old), and his hustle is going to have to increase if he wants to play in the NBA. At times he seemed very bored on defense, and jogged (or less) on getting back on defense after a missed shot. However, perhaps he was just bored by having the play an exhibition against the Dallas Mavericks summer league team.
only an idiot would boo someone just for being iranian
WTF are the Hawks doing to themselves this summer? If they don't retain J. Smith then.....oh yeah....i forgot........their the Hawks. Business as usual.
Wait I thought the Grizzlies ruined themselves after the Pau Gasol trade? What is this....they are effectively rebuilding? You don't say
you guys are morons if you don't think hawks will match this offer
effectively??Wait I thought the Grizzlies ruined themselves after the Pau Gasol trade? What is this....they are effectively rebuilding? You don't say
Most of the people in both countries aren't collosal asshats like their leaders are.
There was a story from the Rocky Mountain Revue where the Jazz gave him a jersey with his name on it because he lost some members of his family recently in a car accident. The crowd ate it up and both teams reported being very moved by the tribute. And that's Utah, supposedly one of the most conservative states in the nation.
The only people giving a rats' ass about Iran are the criminals in the White House and the propagandists employed by Rupert Murdoch.
The Hawks will match it. They were just waiting for him to get an offer so they could see what his value is.
There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)
Posting Permissions
