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In surprising news the Detroit Pistons just waived Josh Smith. Smith, you may remember signed a 4 year, $54 million deal with the Pistons on July 11th, 2013. So 530 days later he's no longer on the team. Ridiculous.
The Pistons announce that they have waived Josh Smith. Wow.
— Marc J. Spears (@SpearsNBAYahoo) December 22, 2014
Pistons will use stretch provision on remaining $26 million of Josh Smith's contract, league source tells Yahoo. This gives some cap relief.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) December 22, 2014
The Detroit Pistons are 5-23. Josh Smith is averaging 13.1 PPG, 7.2 RPG, 4.7 APG on 39% FG, 34% 3PT, & 47% FT.
— NBAonSTC (@NBAonSTC) December 22, 2014
Yeah. He's making $13.5 million this year, which is more money than Derrick Favors is making for the Utah Jazz (annnnd about $1.250 million less than Gordon Hayward, bee tee dubs). I think it's obvious that the Detroit Pistons already have a huge variable on their team right now in Brandon Jennings . . .
. . . and they appear to rather be focused on Andre Drummond, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, and Greg Monroe (RFA) right now. Ultimately I think the signing of super inefficient vet Smith instead of going fully young is an indication that with how weak the East is that Detroit could have been a playoff team. Or at least, that was the idea last season as well. This season the team has a new boss and head coach in Stan Van Gundy, and I can only imagine how much of a frustration it would be to "coach" a player like Smith.
No one is saying that Smith is a bad person, or team-mate. It's just that his talents (which are considerable) are better served in a different system. Or perhaps on a team bereft of one?
Stan Van Gundy just took another sip pic.twitter.com/eSLMwluJiw
— Michael Lee (@MrMichaelLee) December 22, 2014
Yes. So if he's out, he will be available for some other team to get. The Utah Jazz? They could use talent, but I don't think Quin Snyder is the right man for this job; nor do I think he has a real spot with our squad.
No team wanted in via trade, but it will be available and find a new home.
Had heard from a Pistons front office member that Detroit daily pursued Josh Smith trades with all 29 other NBA teams. Zero were interested.
— Jake Fischer (@JakeLFischer) December 22, 2014
The Houston Rockets are apparently in the mix of teams interested though. So, good luck to them.
And good luck to Josh Smith (video via Basketball John)