Josh Smith #5 of the Atlanta Hawks handles the ball during the NBA game against the Phoenix Suns at US Airways Center on February 15, 2012 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Hawks defeated the Suns 101-99. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (February 14, 2012 – Source: Christian Petersen/Getty Images North America)

A few days ago we reported the Phoenix Suns were linked to Josh Smith. It now seems like they are the leading candidate to win the Smith sweepstakes.

According to Yahoo! Sports NBA columnist Adrian Wojnarowski, the “Hawks would prefer to send him [Josh Smith] West.”

Atlanta has to do the best possible deal for Smith. That could still be the Bucks in the East, but again, Hawks prefer to send him West.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) February 21, 2013

Wojnarowski’s tweet was confirmed by NBA.com blogger Sekou Smith’s report that the “Hawks are exhausting all options to ship Josh Smith to the Western Conference.” No time table has been reported, although NBA.com added that Atlanta would be “Willing to wait until the final hour to get it done.”

Woj later tweeted that “Milwaukee, Phoenix emerging as frontrunners for Josh Smith,” with Boston as a long shot.

Milwaukee, Phoenix emerging as frontrunners for Josh Smith deal, league sources tell Y! Sports. Boston still a “darkhorse,” one source says.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) February 21, 2013

If Phoenix did trade for Smith, it would be for Marcin Gortat, Jared Dudley and a draft pick, tweets HOOPSWORLD reporter Alex Kennedy.

As HOOPSWORLD first reported (tinyurl.com/b7m34yr), the Suns are pursuing Josh Smith and offering Marcin Gortat, Jared Dudley and a pick.

— Alex Kennedy (@AlexKennedyNBA) February 21, 2013

With the rumors occurring NON-STOP until the trade deadline at 3:00 PM (ET) be sure to check back to Soaring Down South for the latest up-to-the-minute news.

ATLANTA, GA – MARCH 8: Josh Smith #5 of the Atlanta Hawks drives to the basket against Pau Gasol #16 of the Los Angeles Lakers on March 8, 2011 at Philips Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2011 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)

February 21 is the NBA trade deadline. This means that there are only 16 more days until I can stop hearing and reading about these ridiculous trade ideas that involves Atlanta Hawks forward Josh Smith and some player or contract that we wouldn’t want or need *cough* Pau Gasol *cough*.  But just for the sake of the trade deadline, I will list my thoughts on what the top 5 trade scenarios could be for J-Smoove and the Hawks.

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1.) Josh Smith to Phoenix for Marcin Gortat and Jared Dudley: I’m sure that most of us heard the rumor that the Suns are interested.  Gortat and Dudley for Smith could help both teams in seeing that Atlanta is getting a wing player in addition to a skilled center that can push Horford to the 4, while the Suns get a new face for their franchise.

2.) Josh Smith to Denver for Timofey Mozgov and Danilo Gallinari:  This is another instance in which Atlanta will be getting a center that can hopefully push Al to the 4.  Also, Mozgov has an expiring contract which would give the Hawks more cap room at the end of the season.  Gallinari will give us what we desperately need in a scoring wing and also and a player that create their own shot, something Atlanta has been lacking since Lou Williams went done for the remained of the season.

3.) Josh Smith to Houston for Patrick Patterson, Chandler Parsons, Cole Aldrich, and Marcus Morris: Houston will get a great player to go with Lin and Harden while Atlanta gets a ton of young talent to start re-building with.  Simple as that.

4.) Josh Smith to Detroit for Andre Drummond and Rodney Stuckey:  Now this is my personal favorite and I doubt this will ever happen, but this would be my dream.  Drummond has Dwight Howard potential and in order to get him we would probably have to take back a bad contract of either Stuckey or Charlie Villanueva.  Personally, I prefer Stuckey because he looks like 50 cent and because Charlie V is just horrible.

5.) Josh Smith to Sacramento for Tyreke Evans and Jason Thompson: I saw this one and it left me intrigued.  Tyreke has one year left on his contract and there is no guarantee that he would stay in Atlanta but in the very least it will free up a little cap space.  Jason Thompson is okay in my book but this will just be another player added to the list of PF’s that might have to play center.  Oh, and I would definitely enjoy imagining the entertainment we would see by having DeMarcus Cousins and Smoove on the same team.

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Well there are my top 5 trade scenarios that I would like to see happen.  I doubt that Josh will get traded due to the whole thing with his trade kicker but it is nice to dream.  Let me know of your thoughts; if you prefer one of my suggestions or if you have one of your own.