Josh Smith's career as a Hawk

Atlanta Hawks

Josh Smith's career as a Hawk

Hawks forward Josh Smith has signed a five-year, $58 million offer sheet with the Memphis Grizzlies. As a restricted free agent, Smith would have to return to the Hawks if the organization matches the offer within seven days.

Josh Smith received a five-year, $58 million deal from the Hawks Friday, matching the offer the rising young forward received from the Memphis Grizzlies earlier in the day.

Smith, an Atlanta native who was regarded as one of the nation's top high school players, played his high school senior year at Oak Hill in Virginia. Smith had signed a national letter-of-intent with Indiana but entered the 2004 NBA Draft instead.

Josh Smith (far right) was the Hawks' 17th overall pick in the 2004 NBA Draft. He emerged as one of two promising rookies along with Josh Childress (second from left), who recently signed with Olympiakos of the Greek League.

Smith averaged 9.7 points, 6.2 rebounds and 1.95 blocks per game in his first season and was selected to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team.

Smith, donning a Dominique Wilkins jersey in tribute, won the NBA Slam Dunk Contest his rookie year in 2005.

Smith is the youngest player in NBA history to reach 500 blocks. He has 786 blocks for his career, averaging nearly 3 per game.

Smith averaged 17.2 points, 8.2 rebounds and 2.8 blocks last season, helping the Hawks make the playoffs for the first time in nearly a decade. Smith posted his best post-season effort in Game 4, scoring 28 points, six rebounds and seven blocked shots.

Smith played 24 minutes in his last game with the Hawks, Game 7 of the first round of the NBA playoffs in Boston. He notched just six points.

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Josh Smith received a five-year, $58 million deal from the Hawks Friday, matching the offer the rising young forward received from the Memphis Grizzlies earlier in the day.

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