In an unprecedented and bold move, the Detroit Pistons today waived starting power forward Josh Smith — a decision that will cost them roughly $36 million over the next 2 1/2 seasons.
The news came in a press release from the team: “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,” said Stan Van Gundy, Head Coach and President of Basketball Operations for the Detroit Pistons. “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.”
The 6-foot-9, 225-pound forward has averaged 13.1 points, 7.2 rebounds and 4.7 assists while shooting 39.1% from the field, 24.3% from three point range and 46.8% from the free throw line. In 105 games with the Pistons, the Georgia native averaged 15.5 points, 6.9 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game.
Smith was acquired by the Pistons as a free agent on July 10, 2013. Drafted with the 17th overall selection in the 2004 NBA Draft by the Atlanta Hawks, the former Oak Hill Academy product has averaged 15.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 2.0 blocks and 34.2 minutes in 781 career games (758 starts).
He is under contract for $13.5 million in this season and each of the next two.
(RELATED: PISTONS SALARY CAP PICTURE AND ANALYSIS)
The Pistons could choose to use the stretch provision on Smith.
Starting July 1, Pistons can stretch his remaining two years over five if they so choose. (They may not. That comes to 5 plus mill a year, a big dead number to have on your cap for 5 years. They may just take the bigger 2 year hit).
In the meantime, Twitter is abuzz with speculation that the player known as J-Smoove will end up in Houston after he clears waivers.
Rockets would offer Smith their bi-annual exception, worth $2.077 mil, source said. Would come w good role, good team, good friend (Dwight).
— Jonathan Feigen (@Jonathan_Feigen) December 22, 2014
By the way, while we all keep citing the AAU team that featured Josh Smith and Dwight Howard, friendship continued. Dwight was his best man.
— Jonathan Feigen (@Jonathan_Feigen) December 22, 2014