Detroit Pistons Could Still Look To Trade Josh Smith

The Detroit Pistons may still look to trade forward Josh Smith but they will expect a hefty return for the NBA veteran

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With former

and

head coach Stan Van Gundy took over as Detroit Pistons’ head coach and team president, many thought he would look to move forward Josh Smith.

The Pistons gave Josh Smith a massive four-years, $54 million deal in the 2013 offseason but it was difficult for the Pistons to play him alongside Greg Monroe and Andrew Drummond, two very talented big men.

The Sacramento Kings were reportedly interested in acquiring Josh Smith but nothing has come it yet. That’s doesn’t mean a deal can be ruled out.

“The most prevalent rumor surrounding Smith is a deal that would send him to Sacramento joining the Kings,” writes John Zitzler of Basketball Insiders. “This is all speculation, but the Smith-to-the-Kings deal is one that has been mentioned on more than occasion. However, like Monroe, the addition Stan Van Gundy changes things and may be enough to quell any talks of trading Smith. Van Gundy has made it known that he views Smith as important piece going forward and if he were to trade to him it wouldn’t be just to move his contract. The Pistons would expect significant value in return for Smith.”

That’s the problem. The Pistons want a lot of value in any trade for Josh Smith but that’s a lot to ask for considering the team acquiring him would be taking on all of that salary. That’s why a trade seems like a long shot.

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 foul line last season.

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