Josh Smith has only been released from the Detroit Pistons for a few hours, and already NBA teams are jockeying for a chance to pick-up the troubled-but-talented power forward. Here are three contenders for Smith's services.
Sacramento Kings
The Kings are considered the league's wackiest wild card this season. Be it firing coach Mike Malone unexpectedly last week or experimenting with a 4-on-5 'cherry picker' defensive strategy, there's no telling what they'll do next. Owner Vivek Ranadivé may be looking to make another splash. Also, the success reclamation of Rudy Gay's once-perceived broken career might serve as some sort of precedent for a potential Smith signing. Pairing Smith with fellow power forward DeMarcus Cousins might provide the Kings with some inside-outside spacing, but Smith's shot selection and true field goal percentage have been atrocious this season.
Los Angeles Clippers
The Clippers are another franchise said to be "mulling" the prospect of bringing on Smith, per the Los Angeles Times. Doc Rivers is considered one of the best coaches in the game when it comes to maintaining team chemistry and getting the best production out of surly or mercurial talents. His chief assistant, Mike Woodson, was also the head coach in Atlanta when Smith had the best seasons of his career.
Houston Rockets
However, according to Yahoo! Sports, the Houston Rockets have emerged as the leading candidate to pick up Smith. The team is reportedly intrigued by Smith's "ability to block shots, rebound and pass as a unique complement at the power forward to [Dwight] Howard." Howard is a close friend of Smith's, and even attended his wedding a few years ago. Moreover, Yahoo! started that Houston can extend Smith their biannual exception (north of $2 million), while teams like LA and Sacramento can only offer him the $1.4 million veteran minimum deal.
In a stunning move, Smith was cut from the Pistons on Tuesday morning, despite being owed over $26 million in each of the next two seasons. Because of the forward's poor shot selection and perceived attitude problems, no team is predicted to claim him via waivers at that price tag. If he clears waivers, Smith will be free to sign with any team as a free agent beginning Wednesday.
Detroit is expected to use the league's stretch provision to alleviate the cap hit that massive contract amount would entail.
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