Update according to Adrian Wojnarowski: The Houston Rockets are emerging as the strongest suitor to sign forward Josh Smith, league sources told Yahoo Sports.
Yahoo Sources: Houston emerging as strongest suitor to sign Josh Smith. http://t.co/pOvHRnynRp
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) December 22, 2014
The Detroit Pistons have announced that they have released forward Josh Smith Monday afternoon. Smith, 29, averaged 13.1 points, 7.2 rebounds and 4.7 this season. Smith is due over $26 million from the Pistons.
Here’s what coach Stan Van Gundy had to say about the releasing of Smith:
“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.”
Smith will likely clear waivers in the next 48 hours and become a free-agent. The Sacramento Kings, who tried to trade for Smith earlier this year, may be the leading contender for Smith. Several other contending teams, including the Cleveland Cavaliers, Houston Rockets (Smith is close with Dwight Howard) and Dallas Mavericks (Smith is best friends with Rajon Rondo) may possibly be interested in adding the Georgia native.
[Freep]
