Sources: Sixers were close to sending Evan Turner, Spencer Hawes to Hawks

Sources from both teams confirmed that the Sixers and the Hawks were close to a deal that would have sent Sixers Evan Turner and Spencer Hawes to the Hawks for forward Josh Smith. (Mark J. Terrill/AP)

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John N. Mitchell, Inquirer Staff Writer

Posted: Thursday, March 7, 2013, 2:01 AM

Sources from both teams confirmed that the Sixers and the Hawks were close to a deal that would have sent Sixers Evan Turner and Spencer Hawes to the Hawks for forward Josh Smith. The trade deadline passed last month with no deal.

Smith, who will be an unrestricted free agent this summer, said he tried to ignore the trade talk.

"I really didn't pay much attention to everything that was in the media," Smith said. "I knew there were discussions, but as a player you can't listen to all that stuff. I just want to do whatever I can for the Atlanta Hawks to help us in the playoffs."

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John N. Mitchell Inquirer Staff Writer