Josh Smith, who signed a four-year, $53M deal with the Detroit Pistons in 2013, could now be available on free-agency market in a matter of days after the Pistons management decided to waive his contract with two years left in his current contract.
Head coach and vice president of basketball operations Stan Van Gundy confirmed that the Pistons decided to cut ties with Smith, who is averaging 13.1 points, 7.2 rebounds and 4.7 assists per game while shooting a shellacking 39 percent from the field this season.
"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," coach and team president Stan Van Gundy said in a statement via ESPN.
The Pistons attempted to trade the 29-year old Smith during the offseason, but received no intriguing offers, except from the Sacramento Kings, who are willing to part ways with Derrick Williams, Jason Thompson and Carl Landry.
Smith, who is averaging 15.4 points, 3.3 assists and 7.8 rebounds over his 10-year career, will have to clear waivers for the next 48 hours for him to become a free-agent.
According to Marc Stein of ESPN, the Kings have remained interested in adding Smith along with the Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Clippers and Dallas Mavericks.
"NBA front-office sources told ESPN.com's Marc Stein that the Sacramento Kings, Dallas Mavericks, Houston Rockets and Los Angeles Clippers are among the teams that will have interest in Smith when he clears waivers Wednesday," via ESPN.
Case for the Lakers To Sign Josh Smith:
The Lakers defense is currently the worst in the league, allowing opponents to score at least 109 points per game. The lack of shot-blocking presence along with unorganized team defense has been a major problem for the purple-and-gold, but gambling on a career 2.0 shotblocker in Smith would certainly give the Lakers a boost in that particular department.
Armed with $4.85 million disabled player exception gained from Steve Nash's season-ending back injury, the Lakers can certainly offer Smith the most lucrative deal out there at this point of the season.
However, the question now is would Smith be willing to forego the chance to play for a contender for a Lakers team that is expected to hit rock bottom at the end of the season? Many analysts think Smith would not consider the Lakers. Then again, the ball is in Smith's court to decide.
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