The Detroit Pistons announced the release of veteran forward Josh Smith Monday morning.
The 6-foot-9 Smith averaged 13.1 points, 7.2 rebounds and 4.7 assists while shooting 39.1 percent from the field this season. Smith joined the Pistons as a free agent in July of 2013 from the Atlanta Hawks.
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In one of the most shocking moments of the 2014-15 NBA season so far, the Detroit Pistonsreleased forward Josh Smithon Monday, according to the team"s official Twitter account:
Detroit head coach and president Stan Van Gundy spokeabout the decision in a release on the team 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 its best to give him his freedom to move forward. We have full respect for Josh as a player and a person.
Vincent Goodwill of TheDetroit News shared the details of how Smiths contract will count against Detroit"s salary cap moving forward:
According to Jake Fischer of TheBoston Globe, the Pistons tried to trade Smith, but theycouldnt find a willing partner:
Gary Washburn of TheBoston Globe chimed in with his shock surrounding the move to cut ties with Smith:
In 28 games this season for Detroit, Smith averaged 13.1 points, 7.2 rebounds and 4.7 assists per game. With the team stumbling out to a 5-23 record and J-Smoove shooting a career-worst 39.1 percent from the floor, Van Gundy decided now was the time to move on.
Teams will surely kick the tires on a veteran player like Smith, who, at just 29 years old, could be a difference-maker for a team already in contention. According to Jonathan Feigen of theHouston Chronicle, the Houston Rockets would be interested in signing him assuming he clears waivers. ESPN.com"s Marc Stein suggested theLos Angeles Clippersand Dallas Mavericks could make a run at Smith, too.
For the Pistons, it"s just the next step in what looks to be a massive rebuilding effort under Van Gundy as he tries to bring the franchise back to its previous heights.
*Stats via NBA.com.
Source: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2307828-josh-smith-released-by-pistons-latest-details-comments-and-reaction
