Maybe I'm just looking into every little detail too much, but when JD was talking about who they were expecting to take if Fantilli was gone he did say "Smith and Carlsson"I am inclined to believe that everyone's source on that whole tidbit was Porty's initial story. I'm not convinced anyone else had additional context.
While it's more than likely just how it came it out, it makes me think Smith was higher up on their list or maybe he personally was pushing for Smith. He seems to think Smith is going to blow people away next season.