June 23rd, 2008 
Stephen Rhodes 
Posted in ????????????????????????????????????? 
A?couple pieces of interest that may affect the direction of the 2008 NBA Draft, according to Chris McCosky of the Detroit News:
- Negotiations between the Atlanta Hawks and Josh Smith are getting interesting, to say the least; Smith is a restricted free agent, and as such, is seeking a deal beginning around the $11 million a year range.? A heck of a start for newly hired Hawks general manager Rick Sund as he might balk at that asking price.? Should negotiations come to an impasse, the Detroit Pistons will be all over that – in the form of a “sign-and-trade”.
- Some reports out of Phoenix have Phoenix Suns forward Boris Diaw being offered to the toronto Raptors for T.J. Ford and their 17th pick in the first round; on the flip side, a report out of New York shot that rumor down, claiming the Suns have no interest in Ford.? Suns coach Terry Porter and Ford have a history together as Ford was the point guard in Milwaukee while Porter was coach there; Porter would love to have Ford as Steve Nash’s backup.? If memory serves me correctly, Ford has publicly said that he wants to be a starter in the league, so it is speculative as far as how reliable the rumors out of Phoenix are.
