The Atlanata Hawks decided to keep restricted free agent Josh Smith by matching the offer from the Memphis Grizzlies.  The deal, reportedly worth $58 million, was made in the hopes of pairing the 22 year old forward with another 22 year old rising star: Rudy Gay.  Those two young players would have made a solid young core for Memphis, especially since the team decided to rebuild and deal their biggest star in Pau Gasol last season.

Josh Smith was second in the league in shot blocking last season while averaging 17.2 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per contest.