Brooklyn Nets pursuing Josh Smith trade, offering MarShon Brooks and Kris Humphries

The Brooklyn Nets are chasing Atlanta Hawks forward Josh Smith, according to ESPN's Chris Broussard. Where do things stand?

The two teams are engaged in discussions. But one source said while "there has been lots of talk, nothing is close yet."

This comes as the February 21 trade deadline inches closer. Who would go in a potential deal? The Nets are offering Kris Humphries and MarShon Brooks. As Broussard reports, getting J-Smoove out of the ATL is going to take more than those two, say, a future first-round pick.

Anthony Morrow could also be involved in such a deal. And there's more:

ESPN.com's Marc Stein reported Saturday that the Hawks want a young center in return for Smith. The Nets may have to get a third team involved to pull off a trade for Smith.

The trade works financially, but I'd take this one with a grain of salt for one big reason: Smith's impending free agency. Why would the Hawks tie up a bunch of money in Kris Humphries for two seasons when they'd have more salary cap room to go after Dwight Howard and Chris Paul by simply letting Smith walk in free agency?

Brooklyn had reportedly offered Humphries to the Charlotte Bobcats for Ben Gordon. If the Nets can score Smith, then the deal for Gordon would be dead.

Photo:  Keith Allison.