The Detroit Pistons have announced that they’ve waived forward Josh Smith. Literally everyone in the world is happy.
• Josh Smith is happy because he hated being in Detroit.
• Detroit is happy because Josh Smith is Josh Smith
• West Coast contenders are happy because they can possibly sign Josh Smith to a cheap contract. He is still owed $26 million over two years.
The Pistons will be using the stretch provision on Josh Smith, according to Woj. Here’s an explanation of what the “stretch provision”–implemented in 2011–really means.
That means the Pistons will be paid $5.4 million over the next five years. Ouch. Even worse, they had the opportunity to move Josh Smith to Sacramento for Carl Landry and Jason Thompson in summer, but passed.
As far as Josh Smith is concerned, he’s getting paid by the Detroit Pistons and will clear the waivers in 48 hours. That means that he’ll have the opportunity to play for pretty much any team that wants him at a below-market price.
Update: Here’s his shot chart from this year, via @NBA.com
