Josh Smith was born and raised in the Atlanta area and has played his entire NBA career with the Hawks. It doesn’t appear that will change anytime soon.

Smith said for economic reasons he is not considering signing a contract extension by the June 30 deadline and will become a free agent this summer. But the forward said he has a “good understanding” with Hawks general manager Danny Ferry about his future, and he discussed a likelihood of remaining with Atlanta.

“I never said one time that I wanted to leave Atlanta,” Smith, whose surprising Hawks (12-6) play Wednesday at Orlando, said in an interview with FOX Sports Florida while in Miami for Monday’s 101-92 loss to the Heat. “It was always rumors and things. The moves that they made (last summer) and the success that we’re having, I am excited about what is going with this organization and I am considering strongly staying here. I haven’t ever had any thoughts that I wanted to leave.”

Smith, who only could add three more years onto his deal with an extension but could re-sign for as many as five years next summer with Atlanta, said he is on the same page with Ferry about his future.

via Chris Tomasson of FOX Sports Florida