Josh Smith rumors: Sacramento Kings still interested in Detroit Pistons’ forward?

Nov 15, 2013; Sacramento, CA, USA; Detroit Pistons small forward Josh Smith (6) pumps his fist after scoring against the Sacramento Kings during the fourth quarter at Sleep Train Arena. The Detroit Pistons defeated the Sacramento Kings 97-90. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 15, 2013; Sacramento, CA, USA; Detroit Pistons small forward Josh Smith (6) pumps his fist after scoring against the Sacramento Kings during the fourth quarter at Sleep Train Arena. The Detroit Pistons defeated the Sacramento Kings 97-90. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

No matter what the Detroit Pistons say publicly, new head coach and president Stan Van Gundy would probably love to get out of the contract of forward Josh Smith.

More from Detroit Pistons

Last year, the Pistons handed him a four-year, $54 million deal. The Pistons have reportedly tried to trade Smith but haven’t had any luck in doing so. Earlier in the summer, the Pistons were reportedly talking to the Sacramento Kings about a trade for Smith. Dealing for Smith would pave the way for the Pistons to not only offer restricted free agent Greg Monroe a bigger deal but also clear space for he and center Andre Drummond to play together and perhaps find a better shooter to stick at forward next to Monroe.

Chuck Myron of Hoops Rumors believes there’s “at least a decent chance” the Kings and Pistons once again talk about a trade for Smith.

"I’m sure they’ll make more moves, and the conflicting reports about the depth of the talks they had about Smith suggest there’s at least a decent chance those discussions start up again sometime in the future; perhaps once there’s more clarity regarding Greg Monroe. But I’m sure Sacramento has more irons in the fire. No one’s more active on the trade market than Pete D’Alessandro and the Kings brass, as demonstrated yet again by the recent Knicks trade."

Smith went 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’s put up

Be sure to check FanSided’s official NBA page to keep up to date on the latest news and rumors from around the league all summer long.