Although Josh Smith is available for a contract extension, the Hawks reportedly aren’t working on it.  Read more after the jump.
When asked if he would be talking about an extension this summer, Smith told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution thatno one has brought an extension up to him (via PBT): “Before Josh Smith started his summer vacation, he was asked about the possibility of signing a contract extension with the Hawks. ‘I can’t get extended,’ Smith said. ‘They didn’t give me the money; I had to go get it. That’s something I have to play it out and see how it goes from there.
Two things stand out about that statement. The first is that Smith, who presumably got the info from his agent, is wrong about his contract not being eligible for an extension. […] But the more interesting aspect of Smith’s statement is his allusion to having to ‘go get’ his contract. He’s referring, of course, to the offer sheet he signed with Memphis in 2008, which Atlanta subsequently matched. (The Hawks can thank the Grizzlies for being able to keep Smith with a reasonable deal.) It bothers Smith he had to create a market for himself to get a satisfactory contract from the Hawks (though at least he didn’t have to leave the country like Josh Childress). Smith’s feelings were amplified when Al Horford got an extension before becoming a restricted free agent. So add that 2008 contract dance to Smith’s list of grievances with the Hawks.â€
