The Los Angeles Lakers have had internal discussions for several months about acquiring Josh Smith from the Atlanta Hawks, according to sources.

Sources say, however, that the Hawks have no interest in trading Smith for a package centered around Pau Gasol.

Smith is scheduled to be an unrestricted free agent in the offseason.

For the Lakers, trading Gasol for Smith would allow the team to get younger and more athletic. Moreover, Smith is one of Dwight Howard's closest friends in the NBA.