The Detroit Pistons waived forward Josh Smith on Monday in a surprising move, the team announced.
Smith, 29, was in the second season of a four-year, $54 million contract he signed with the Pistons in July 2013. He was averaging 13.1 points and 7.2 rebounds per game for the Pistons, who are last in the NBA’s Central Division with a 5-23 record.
Smith has been subject to trade rumors almost from the moment he signed with Detroit, and he seemed a poor fit with Stan Van Gundy, who the Pistons hired as head coach and president of basketball operations last May. Van Gundy is known as a demanding coach, and Smith’s production has never matched his talent.
Placing Smith on waivers means that another team may now sign him, but it would have to assume his contract. In all likelihood, Smith will clear the 48-hour waiver window and become a free agent.
Thumbnail photo via Raj Mehta/USA TODAY Sports Images
