Watch CBS News

Report: Nets Interested In Trading For Hawks Forward Josh Smith

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- The Nets have suddenly hit a roadblock, and are struggling mightily as the first half of the NBA season is just days away from wrapping up.

Brooklyn has lost six of nine game, and it looked completely overmatched against the shorthanded Spurs at Barclays Center on Sunday night.

It appears that the spurt that the Nets got from interim coach P.J. Carlesimo has worn off, and now fans, writers and analysts alike are clamoring for change as the trade deadline nears.

General manager Billy King seems to be on the same page as them.

The Nets are diligently working to trade for Hawks forward Josh Smith, league sources told ESPN.

While the two teams have discussed a possible swap, one source told the network that "there has been lots of talk, (but) nothing is close yet."

The sources informed ESPN that the Nets are open to dealing power forward Kris Humphries and shooting guard MarShon Brooks for Smith, but that will most likely not be enough to bring the 27-year-old to New York. The Nets might have to part with a first-round pick, one source said.

Late last week, a report surfaced that the Nets were interested in trading Humphries for Bobcats shooting guard Ben Gordon.

Smith would help the Nets hugely on offense. The former first-round pick is averaging 16.9 points, 4.0 rebounds and 8.5 rebounds in 35.7 minutes per game. He's started 46 games for Atlanta this season and is shooting 45 percent from the field.

At 29-22, the Nets own the fifth-best record in the Eastern Conference. They sit 1 1/2 games behind Chicago for the No. 4 seed and lead the Hawks by a game.

Brooklyn will square off with the Pacers on Monday night and the Nuggets on Wednesday night to round out the first half.

Would you trade Kris Humphries, MarShon Brooks and a first-round pick for Josh Smith? Let us know in the comments section below...

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.