‘No legs’ to Pistons, Kings trade talks for Josh Smith
By Mike Dyce
NBA Rumors haven’t died down now that free agent dominos have fallen. The latest involves a trade between the Sacramento Kings and Detroit Pistons for Josh Smith.
Apparently the Kings keep pursuing Smith but keep getting turned down, but a source said the is nothing to the rumors.
From Vince Ellis of the Detroit Free Press:
"The Sacramento Kings made another run at Detroit Pistons forward Josh Smith during this week’s league meetings in Las Vegas, but they were rebuffed again.A person with firsthand knowledge of the situation confirmed ESPN’s Marc Stein’s report that the Kings were interested in Smith. Another source said Thursday morning that there are “no legs” to the report — suggesting that nothing was imminent. …The Kings believed that the Pistons would get rid of Smith without seeking valuable assets in return, but the Pistons have been adamant that that’s not the case, and they are prepared to bring him back for his second season in Detroit."
Smith just signed with the Detroit Pistons last offseason during free agency. The Pistons though have had a regime change, with Stan Van Gundy acting as head coach and president of basketball operations. It looks like Van Gundy is keen to keep Smith in the hopes that he can utilize him more efficiently than his predecessor.
If doesn’t seem to be working for him by mid-season, he could be a trade deadline move.
Smith is guaranteed $40.5 million over the next three seasons.