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Detroit Pistons Waive Josh Smith

By Josh Hill

Nov 26, 2014; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Detroit Pistons forward Josh Smith (6) during the fourth quarter against the Los Angeles Clippers at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Los Angeles won 104-98. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 26, 2014; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Detroit Pistons forward Josh Smith (6) during the fourth quarter against the Los Angeles Clippers at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Los Angeles won 104-98. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports /
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In a rather shocking move, the Detroit Pistons have waived high-priced forward Josh Smith to focus on developing younger talent.

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The Detroit Pistons are not messing around this season, as new head coach Stan Van Gundy is doing everything he can to make sure the team is ready to be great in the future.

Being great isn’t happening right now as the Pistons are 5-23 and on their way to a high lottery pick this summer. One player who will not be a part of the Pistons future is Josh Smith, as he was abruptly released by the Pistons on Monday morning.

Pistons beat writer Vincent Ellis dropped a bomb on the basketball world on Monday afternoon, reporting that the Pistons were waiving Josh Smith effective immediately.

The reasoning for waiving the forward came from Stan Van Gundy, who not only confirmed that Smith had been waived but defended the move by saying he wants the team to be fully committed to developing younger talent.

It’s a pretty safe bet to assume that Josh Smith is going to clear waivers in the next 48 hours and become a free agent, as he has a massive contract with Detroit. The Pistons were rumored to be shopping Smith as far back as the end of last season and the trade deadline in February but no deals were made.

The Sacramento Kings were the main suitor in trade talks, which means they’ll be the most likely destination for Smith when he clears waivers later this week.

This is a strong statement by the Pistons, as Smith is a big name player who was being paid big name money to underperform. The lineup of Greg Monroe, Andre Drummond and Smith just didn’t work together, and this may now open the door for Greg Monroe to stay in Detroit long term rather than test free agent waters in the summer.

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