Josh Smith rumors: Detroit Pistons don’t want to trade Smith
When former Miami Heat and Orlando Magic head coach Stan Van Gundy took over as head coach and president of the Detroit Pistons, most thought his first order of business would be settling the logjam in the front court.
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Although they already add two very talented big men in center Andre Drummond and power forward Greg Monroe, the Pistons signed former Atlanta Hawks’ forward Josh Smith to a four-year, $54 million deal last year. Smith is best suited as a power forward (and that was made clear in Atlanta), but when he plays alongside Drummond and Monroe, he has to play small forward. That proved to be a poor fit and the speculation the Pistons were shopping Smith began. Of course, it would be easier to part ways with Monroe because he is a restricted free agent, but Van Gundy has continued to praise Monroe’s game since getting the job.
However, Sam Amick of The USA Today reports the Pistons are not eager to trade Smith and actually value what he brings to the table. Amick believes the logjam up front has likely led to teams giving low-ball offers for both Smith and Monroe.
Addendum to earlier Pistons intel: they're not eager to part ways with Josh Smith as has been indicated. Value him and not eager to dump.
— Sam Amick (@sam_amick) July 8, 2014
Pistons surely getting low-balled by teams who see it as a someone's-gotta-go scenario w/ Smith, Andre Drummond & restricted FA Greg Monroe.
— Sam Amick (@sam_amick) July 8, 2014
Smith put up 16.4 points, 6.8 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 1.4 blocks and 1.4 steals per game while shooting 41.9% from the field, 26.4% from three and 53.2% from the charity stripe.