Detroit Pistons Not Shopping Josh Smith
Contrary to popular belief, the Detroit Pistons are not shopping forward Josh Smith
More from Detroit Pistons
- NBA rumors: Pistons determined to trade Killian Hayes
- The new NBA flopping rules explained
- NBA rumors: Nets clear cap space, perhaps posturing for Cam Johnson
- NBA Free Agency Live Deal Tracker: Grading every signing made worst to best
- NBA Free Agency 2023: 3 landing spots for Jerami Grant you never thought of
The
had money to spend and hoped to make a big splash in the summer of 2013 during
free agency.
They wound up making a couple. They gave up point guard Brandon Knight to acquire point guard Brandon Jennings from the Milwaukee Bucks and gave him a three-year, $25 million deal in a sign-and-trade. They also signed former Atlanta Hawks‘ forward Josh Smith to a four-year, $54 million deal.
Neither move worked out very well. Both players struggled and the Pistons finished with a record of 29-53.
In the offseason, the Pistons named former Miami Heat and Orlando Magic head coach Stan Van Gundy as both their head coach and president. Van Gundy has always preached efficiency so many believed Josh Smith to be a poor fit. There were rumors that the Pistons were shopping Josh Smith and the Sacramento Kings were reportedly interested but nothing came to fruition.
Instead, it looks like the Pistons will hang on to Josh Smith and hope better play.
“I want to be clear the Pistons are not shopping Josh,” Steve Kyler of Basketball Insiders wrote. “In fact they are hoping to get a more efficient Josh this season.”
Josh Smith has always been an extremely talented player. If he plays to strengths and makes good decisions, he can be a monster on defense and an efficient player on offense.
Of course, there is still the question of his fit. With Andre Drummond emerging as a star at center and big man Greg Monroe back for at least more season, the Pistons have a very crowded front court.
Josh Smith averaged 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 last season. In his career he has averaged 15.5 point, 7.9 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 2.1 blocks and 1.3 steals per game while shooting 45.9% from the floor, 27.9% from three and 64.3% from the charity stripe.
More from FanSided
- MLB Trade Grades: Dodgers land Amed Rosario from Guardians
- Colorado gives Pac-12 a possible death knell with move to Big 12
- NFL rumors: Dalvin Cook suitor maintaining very ‘real’ interest
- Braves get dose of bad news on Max Fried as ace nears return
- LA Galaxy vs. Club Leon Leagues Cup match rescheduled for July 26