Could the Pistons signing Isaiah Thomas be part of a Josh Smith sign-&-trade?
Sacramento Kings’ point guard Isaiah Thomas is receiving a lot of interest on the first day of free agency.
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Thomas has turned into a very good player and because of his size, is underrated by many. Last season, Thomas averaged 20.3 points, 6.3 assists, 2.9 rebounds and 1.3 steals per game last season while shooting 45.3% from the field, 34.9% from beyond the arc and 85.0% from the free throw line.
The Boston Celtics were the first to call Thomas. The Miami Heat, Los Angeles Lakers, Dallas Mavericks and Phoenix Suns are also reportedly interested in siging him.
The Detroit Pistons, who agreed to the first two deals of free agency, agreeing to a three-year, $19.5 million deal with former Los Angeles Lakers’ guard Jodie Meeks and a one-year deal with former Atlanta Hawks’ swingman Cartier Martin, are said to be in “heavy pursuit” of a point guard and have targeted Thomas.
Alex Kennedy of Basketball Insiders believes the Pistons’ interested in Thomas could lead to a sign-and-trade involving both Thomas and Detroit Pistons’ forward Josh Smith.
"The Kings were mentioned as a landing spot for Josh Smith just before the draft. I know for a fact that the Kings and Pistons discussed a potential deal centered around Smith, so it’s definitely possible that those talks could start back up. Detroit was one of the first teams to contact Isaiah Thomas last night, so there’s no doubt there’s interest on their end."
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. Smith is owed $13.5 million in each of the next three years and dealing him could mean keeping restricted free agent big man Greg Monroe.