Reports indicate that the Detroit Pistons and free agent Josh Smith have agreed on a 4 year $56 million contract. The unrestricted free agent played last season with the Atlanta Hawks.
The 27 year old Smith averaged 17.5 points, 8.4 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.8 blocks and 1.2 steals a game last season. Over his career he averages of 15.3 points, 8.3 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 2.1 blocks and 1.3 steals.
The 6’9″ power forward joins an impressive front line with the Pistons. Smith should join with Greg Monroe and Andre Drummond to make the Pistons extremely good in the paint next season. The move signals that Joe Dumars has really accelerated the Pistons rebuild, and the team is hoping to make big strides in the Eastern Conference this season. The 29-53 Pistons finished in a tie for 11th in the conference last season.
The question facing the Pistons will be whether or not to play Monroe, Drummond and Smith all together, with Smith manning the small forward spot… or if they bring Monroe off the bench.
Smith had spent his entire 9 year NBA career with the Hawks after being drafted 17th in the 2004 NBA draft.
The Hawks agreed on a deal with Paul Millsap earlier in the day, effectively admitting that they would not be able to retain Smith.
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