NBA Rumors: Detroit Pistons dealing Josh Smith to keep Greg Monroe?

Nov 3, 2013; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Detroit Pistons small forward Josh Smith (6) and Detroit Pistons center Greg Monroe (10) during the third quarter against the Boston Celtics at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Detroit won 87-77. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports /

On Tuesday, a report surfaced that the Detroit Pistons may be shopping forward Josh Smith.

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Lang Green of Basketball Insiders believes the Pistons may be looking to deal Smith so they can retain big man Greg Monroe, who is a restricted free agent.

"“If we got three years down the road, Josh would be in the last year of his contract at $13.5,” Van Gundy said. “If Greg went out and got a max offer this year or something close to a max offer and we matched it, then that’s the year that Andre [Drummond] becomes a max player. You could be in a situation where you have three guys who are over $13 million a year on your roster, and there’d be a good chance just because of the duplication and the makeup that one of them is coming off the bench.“So that’s an interesting scenario and we have looked down the road at that. It’s hard to say that’s the ideal situation because certainly if you’ve got $40-some million in your two front line spots, it really affects what you’re able to do on your perimeter, and you would like a balance on your roster, but we have also come to the conclusion of, again, if that’s what it comes to, that we can deal with that for one year, so I think we’re comfortable with however things go that we’ll be okay.”But Smith may not be in Detroit long enough for this scenario to fully materialize. An ESPN report surfaced on Tuesday implying the Sacramento Kings would be interested in dealing for Smith.While nothing is imminent, it does speak volumes the Pistons are eager and willing to listen to overtures for Smith, who was the team’s marquee free agent signing last summer."

Monroe, Smith and center Andre Drummond proved to be a poor fit together, which is why there is so much speculation one of Monroe or Smith will be dealt.

Monroe put up 15.2 points, 9.3 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.1 steals per game while shooting 49.7% from the field and 65.7% from the free throw line last season. 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.

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