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Report: Paul Pierce Will Need to Be Traded for Celtics to Acquire Josh Smith From Hawks

The Hawks are reportedly telling teams that Josh Smith will be moved before Thursday’s trade deadline, and the Celtics are continuing to show interest in the Atlanta forward.

On Saturday, rumors arose of a trade that would send Smith to Boston in exchange for Jeff Green and Brandon Bass. That may not be enough to acquire Smith, though.

The Celtics would need to part with Paul Pierce to get the trade done, according to Marc Stein of ESPN. Trading youth would be counterproductive, and Kevin Garnett has said he has no intention of waiving his no-trade clause, so moving Pierce is likely the only way the C’s can get a trade in motion that would yield Smith.

Latest deadline rumble: Boston exploring its Josh Smith options. The prob: Can't do it w/out Pierce. Just can't see Ainge sending PP to ATL

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Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) February 19, 2013

KG ain't waiving no-trade clause to go to ATL. So Celts would have to part with iconic PP to get J-Smoove. So can't happen w/out more teams

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Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) February 19, 2013

Hawks have convinced numerous teams that Josh Smith will be moved between now and Thursday 3 PM deadline. Question remains where exactly

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Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) February 19, 2013

Smith is averaging 17.4 points and 8.6 rebounds this season. He and Rajon Rondo are friends from their time at Oak Hill Academy. The NBA trade deadline is Thursday at 3 p.m.