In what looks like a very easy decision, the Atlanta Hawks elected to match the Memphis Grizzlies’ offer to Josh Smith. The deal “is believed” to be for five years and $58 million.
I estimated Smith’s value to be $13-$14 million per season, so if the Grizzlies’ offer was indeed for that reported length and total compensation, they did the Hawks a favor by enabling them to lock Smith up for less than $12 million per season without having to go through the rigmarole of a contract negotiation.
