Detroit Pistons Release Forward Josh Smith

It came as a surprise to many this morning when it was announced that the Detroit Pistons waived small forward Josh Smith. Head coach Stan Van Gundy said in a statement on the team’s website: “Our team has not performed the way we had expected throughout the first third of the season and adjustments need to be made in terms of our focus and direction. We are shifting priorities to aggressively develop our younger players while also expanding the roles of other players in the current rotation to improve performance and build for our future. As we expand certain roles, others will be reduced. In fairness to Josh, being a highly versatile 10-year veteran in this league, we feel it’s best to give him his freedom to move forward. We have full respect for Josh as a player and a person.” This decision came after unsuccessful efforts by the Pistons to trade Smith to another NBA team. As a last resort, they decided to release him to make room on their roster. 

Smith spent the majority of his career with the Atlanta Hawks, where he was drafted in 2004, before he was signed in free agency to the Pistons last year. While Smith enjoyed a great career in Atlanta, his play has been slacking in Detroit due to an inability to fit into Van Gundy’s system so this move seems to be the best for both parties. He leaves the team averaging 15.5 points, 6.9 rebounds and 3.7 assists in his two seasons there.

The Pistons will be taking a financial hit by releasing Smith. In July of 2013, Smith signed a four-year, $54 million deal, and the Pistons will still be obligated to pay out the remaining amount left on his contract, estimated to be over $27 million. It is being reported by ESPN that the Sacramento Kings, Dallas Mavericks, Houston Rockets, and Los Angeles Clippers are some of the teams who might be interested in picking up Smith.