Josh Smith: Making a Case For and Against for Cavs

Jan 26, 2014; Dallas, TX, USA; Detroit Pistons small forward Josh Smith (6) reacts during the game against the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

Contenders for Josh Smith

Los Angeles Clippers

The Clippers are reportedly interested in the high flying power forward, to join THE high flying power forward Blake Griffin. The Clippers have assistant coach Mike Woodson, who coached Smith for years in Atlanta. The Clippers are a well run team with Doc Rivers at the helm and Chris Paul running the show. Lob City adding the athletic Smith is very fitting. He would backup Griffin and give the Clippers an athletic presence with backup center Spencer Hawes.

Whether Doc Rivers would be willing to deal with the combustible nature of Smoove, and his willingness to take the offense into his own hands, is another question. The Clippers are the most limited team in terms of the cap and play Griffin long minutes, limiting the impact Smith could have during his short time on the team.

The Clippers have the ingredients that Smith might be looking for but both might not find the marriage good enough to risk it. Smith wants to build his value while the Clippers want to protect their team unity.

Dallas Mavericks

The Mavs just picked up Rajon Rondo, who is good buddies with Smith, and are a competitive team in the West. Dallas added Rondo to help their defense and Smith has historically been a good off the ball defender. The Mavericks just traded away their best backup big man in the Rondo deal so sliding Smith into that role makes a ton of sense.

However the Mavs already have a bunch of high usage players including Rondo, Monta Ellis and Dirk Nowitzki and may not want another player who likes the ball in their hand. Dirk is also not the type of leader who calls other players out, like CP3 would in LA. The Mavs may not have the on the court leadership needed with Smith.

The Mavs just made a move with Rondo, will they see adding Smith now as too much too quickly or like an early deadline addition that they can have time to adjust to? Adding Smith as a backup would be very interesting.

So the Cavs have a ton of competition, should they even go after Josh Smith? Will they even have a chance at the mercurial 6’9″ power forward? Should they have interest in a big man who likes to shoot 3 pointers?

Next: Cavs and Smith: The Negatives