[FutureNBAGMParticipant]

From everything I’ve gathered in the weeks since Stan Van Gundy joined the Pistons, he seems totally committed to a Monroe/Drummond frontline. At the same time according to all Ive heard/read/learned, he doesn’t like the idea of Josh Smith playing the small forward. At all. Which leads to one conclusion:

Josh Smith is going to be moved.

Now before everyone says "No! Smith can NEVER be moved. His contracts too large and hes a cancer!" Um, heres three things to think about:

1) SVG has been able move contracts like these before. In 2003, he moved the FIVE years and $50 million remaining on the equally enigmatic Lamar Odoms deal only one year after he signed(never mind that it was to the Lakers for a certain legendary center).

2) When Smith was in Atlanta, the Hawks never made it out of the 2nd round. When they replaced Smith with Paul Millsap last summer, well, they didnt get any farther.

3) Now dont get me wrong! Im well aware of the embarrassment Detroit was last year. But if you look at the stats, their biggest problem by FAR was shooting. Also, when you look at Smiths stats from last year, they were very similar to what he usually puts up. The problem? He was playing out of position all year at small forward. I just honestly believe that if Smith were on a team where he was starting at POWER forward, he would be a much better and more consistent player like he was for many years with the Hawks.

So heres my main point. Where would be a good fit for Josh Smith? I can think of a few teams(Toronto, Sacramento, Orlando, Phoenix) that could use an athletic big man like Josh AND have some very fair assets to offer in return. Of course, Im well aware that his contract can make it difficult, but its definitely not impossible.

Just wondering what you thought. Thanks guys and enjoy your Sunday. 

[hooverballParticipant]

He would fit on the Warriors. They have the shooting to spread the floor for him to use his athleticism. He, Iggy and Bogut would be great defensively. Not sure what contracts would need to be included to make the deal work, but Harrison Barnes would be a much better fit for the Pistons. Not sure what that means for David Lee or if it would end up a 3 team trade with Lee getting shipped out.

[hooverballParticipant]

He would fit on the Warriors. They have the shooting to spread the floor for him to use his athleticism. He, Iggy and Bogut would be great defensively. Not sure what contracts would need to be included to make the deal work, but Harrison Barnes would be a much better fit for the Pistons. Not sure what that means for David Lee or if it would end up a 3 team trade with Lee getting shipped out.

[esperanzafleet69Participant]

 im pretty sure missing an nba record of 3pt attempts isnt what van gundy is looking for.. or any other coach for that matter.

[FutureNBAGMParticipant]

Thats the point I was trying to make. If he were moved to a team where he could play his more natural power forward position he wouldn’t be taking as many threes. When you play small forward, playing more out on the perimeter, its a different story.

[FutureNBAGMParticipant]

Thats the point I was trying to make. If he were moved to a team where he could play his more natural power forward position he wouldn’t be taking as many threes. When you play small forward, playing more out on the perimeter, its a different story.

[esperanzafleet69Participant]

 im pretty sure missing an nba record of 3pt attempts isnt what van gundy is looking for.. or any other coach for that matter.

[ExumInfernoParticipant]

 Detroit had to give away a first rounder to get out of Ben Gordon’s contract a year early, so finding a team that wants Josh Smith will be hard and it will be Detroit giving him away or even adding something to the deal.

They need to find a team that wants to win now, needs defense and athleticism, and has money to spend or a trade exception and probably can afford luxury tax too.

Smith to Brooklyn for Teletovic and Thornton, might be the only deal that makes some sense.

OKC could benefit from Smith on the team, but if they were going to spend big they would have just kept Harden.

Smith and Jennings for Amare and Felton, the Knicks would get better on the court and Detroit would save money in the future.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[ExumInfernoParticipant]

 Detroit had to give away a first rounder to get out of Ben Gordon’s contract a year early, so finding a team that wants Josh Smith will be hard and it will be Detroit giving him away or even adding something to the deal.

They need to find a team that wants to win now, needs defense and athleticism, and has money to spend or a trade exception and probably can afford luxury tax too.

Smith to Brooklyn for Teletovic and Thornton, might be the only deal that makes some sense.

OKC could benefit from Smith on the team, but if they were going to spend big they would have just kept Harden.

Smith and Jennings for Amare and Felton, the Knicks would get better on the court and Detroit would save money in the future.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[morestealsthanscoresParticipant]

I think they’d like to move him…I just think his value is through the floor. Trading him now would be the ultimate ‘sell low’…if they could just coax one acceptable season out of him, then his value jumps massively- as a year has come off the contract and he’s proven that he can play.

[morestealsthanscoresParticipant]

I think they’d like to move him…I just think his value is through the floor. Trading him now would be the ultimate ‘sell low’…if they could just coax one acceptable season out of him, then his value jumps massively- as a year has come off the contract and he’s proven that he can play.

[NardDog NationParticipant]

If the Knicks keep Melo, I think Josh Smith would be a perfect compliment next to him because of his defensive abilities. Ideally, they could liquidate Tyson Chandler’s value into a couple draft picks to then flip them for Josh Smith and Greg Monroe.

[NardDog NationParticipant]

If the Knicks keep Melo, I think Josh Smith would be a perfect compliment next to him because of his defensive abilities. Ideally, they could liquidate Tyson Chandler’s value into a couple draft picks to then flip them for Josh Smith and Greg Monroe.

[Neggedpastor]

I think okc should target Monroe this off season they have a pick to send to the sixers to get a sign and trade done along with perikins contract etc

I feel like josh smith and Brandon jennings can fit in Houston next to Dwight for asik and lin

Maybe new Orleans  for eric Gordon  so their pf situation can be versatile with Anderson/josh smith give the 4 different looks.

Sacramento could be a place

If Duncan retires maybe San Antonio

It would be fun to see him play at phx but if im the suns I don’t give up any draft picks for him because his contract is huge and the pistons face the dilemma of moving either Monroe or josh the suns either take a steal or save that cap room for another player.

 

 

[Neggedpastor]

I think okc should target Monroe this off season they have a pick to send to the sixers to get a sign and trade done along with perikins contract etc

I feel like josh smith and Brandon jennings can fit in Houston next to Dwight for asik and lin

Maybe new Orleans  for eric Gordon  so their pf situation can be versatile with Anderson/josh smith give the 4 different looks.

Sacramento could be a place

If Duncan retires maybe San Antonio

It would be fun to see him play at phx but if im the suns I don’t give up any draft picks for him because his contract is huge and the pistons face the dilemma of moving either Monroe or josh the suns either take a steal or save that cap room for another player.

 

 

[BallinmvpParticipant]

I think he would do well in phx, Hou, or Philly. Up tempo teams where his length and physical abilities can be enhanced while his shooting woes and bone headed decisions can be minimized.

[BallinmvpParticipant]

I think he would do well in phx, Hou, or Philly. Up tempo teams where his length and physical abilities can be enhanced while his shooting woes and bone headed decisions can be minimized.

[ballislyfe25Participant]

 Charlotte would be a great fit for Josh Smith. They were the 7 seed with Josh McRoberts as their starting 4. McRoberts has improved over the years, however, he’s just not a starting caliber player in this league. Smith and Al Jefferson would form a balanced frontcourt on both ends of the floor. Smith could play his natural position at the 4, where he is a versatile defender and athletic offensive player capable of being effective if used properly. Playing the 4, Smith could take advantage of slightly slower defenders who he can beat off the dribble with his quickness and handle. He would not take touches away from Big Al on the block, however, if he wants to post up, Al can spot up midrange and attack the offensive glass. He should also fit nicely with Cody Zeller.

In terms of financials, his contract has 3 years left on it and should not handicap the Hornets the way it has the Pistons. Big Al has two years left on his deal, so these guys could get a two year run together. When Al’s contract is up, Smith will have one year left and can be used in a trade much easier than he can be now. 

I wrote this kind of quick but I really feel that Smith would be great in Charlotte. From (most importantly) his fit in the teams schemes to his contract situation, this seems to be his most logical destination. He had his best years playing the 4 with Al Horford in Atlanta, and the fit with Al Jefferson seems very similar. I think we all hope he just gets out of Detroit ASAP, because his talent is being wasted and he is hindering the development of young players on that team.

[ballislyfe25Participant]

 Charlotte would be a great fit for Josh Smith. They were the 7 seed with Josh McRoberts as their starting 4. McRoberts has improved over the years, however, he’s just not a starting caliber player in this league. Smith and Al Jefferson would form a balanced frontcourt on both ends of the floor. Smith could play his natural position at the 4, where he is a versatile defender and athletic offensive player capable of being effective if used properly. Playing the 4, Smith could take advantage of slightly slower defenders who he can beat off the dribble with his quickness and handle. He would not take touches away from Big Al on the block, however, if he wants to post up, Al can spot up midrange and attack the offensive glass. He should also fit nicely with Cody Zeller.

In terms of financials, his contract has 3 years left on it and should not handicap the Hornets the way it has the Pistons. Big Al has two years left on his deal, so these guys could get a two year run together. When Al’s contract is up, Smith will have one year left and can be used in a trade much easier than he can be now. 

I wrote this kind of quick but I really feel that Smith would be great in Charlotte. From (most importantly) his fit in the teams schemes to his contract situation, this seems to be his most logical destination. He had his best years playing the 4 with Al Horford in Atlanta, and the fit with Al Jefferson seems very similar. I think we all hope he just gets out of Detroit ASAP, because his talent is being wasted and he is hindering the development of young players on that team.

[NardDog NationParticipant]

 The floor spacing would be every bit as problematic in Charlotte as it was in Detriot with Josh Smith. I agree that his skillset, particularly on the defensive end, makes him an intriguing fit next to Al Jefferson but for it to work, Gerald Henderson and Michael Kidd Gilchrist would have to be traded for guys that can hit the 3 on a consistent and frequent basis.

[NardDog NationParticipant]

 The floor spacing would be every bit as problematic in Charlotte as it was in Detriot with Josh Smith. I agree that his skillset, particularly on the defensive end, makes him an intriguing fit next to Al Jefferson but for it to work, Gerald Henderson and Michael Kidd Gilchrist would have to be traded for guys that can hit the 3 on a consistent and frequent basis.

[Jdean24Participant]

 Josh Smith will fit in the trash can perfectly. .

[Jdean24Participant]

 Josh Smith will fit in the trash can perfectly. .

[jaycee24Participant]

 I don’t think any team is going to take a chance on his contract without getting rid of a bad contract themselves. His skill set is so unorthodox that I think it’ll be too hard to find a team that is so confident in Smith that they’d take his 13.5 mil against the cap. After seeing everything I’ve seen from Smith I wouldn’t want him as a part of my franchise if I was a GM

[jaycee24Participant]

 I don’t think any team is going to take a chance on his contract without getting rid of a bad contract themselves. His skill set is so unorthodox that I think it’ll be too hard to find a team that is so confident in Smith that they’d take his 13.5 mil against the cap. After seeing everything I’ve seen from Smith I wouldn’t want him as a part of my franchise if I was a GM

[elchkuhParticipant]

Smith for Gay would help both, Sac and Detroit. The Pistons need scoring and Sac a PF who can play on the wings.

[elchkuhParticipant]

Smith for Gay would help both, Sac and Detroit. The Pistons need scoring and Sac a PF who can play on the wings.

[HitsterParticipant]

 There was always talk about Josh Smith and Dwight Howard wanting to play together so if Houston dropped Lin or Asik the Pistons way then there is a basis of a trade. I’m not sure how the large year 3 on eithr of Lin or Asik’s deal counts tradewise.

Chicago want to win now and could turn Boozer’s expiring deal into Josh Smith and have two picks this year so could throw something in.

 

[HitsterParticipant]

 There was always talk about Josh Smith and Dwight Howard wanting to play together so if Houston dropped Lin or Asik the Pistons way then there is a basis of a trade. I’m not sure how the large year 3 on eithr of Lin or Asik’s deal counts tradewise.

Chicago want to win now and could turn Boozer’s expiring deal into Josh Smith and have two picks this year so could throw something in.

 

[OhCanada-Participant]

Any team with a hole at PF and a skilled Center or lots of shooting in general. I thibk the worst thing for Smith is to be next to a Dwight Howard, Andre Drummond, Deandre Jordan type center. Orlando would be good next to Vucevic. Sacramento would be great next to Cousins. Charlotte next to Jefferson. Etc. 

He is a very unorthadox player yet if you look at his prime in Atlanta you had a somewhat small C Al Horford who has decent touch and skill for his position. and around that you have Johnson, Crawford and Bibby who were all very good shooters/scorers. 

 

[OhCanada-Participant]

Any team with a hole at PF and a skilled Center or lots of shooting in general. I thibk the worst thing for Smith is to be next to a Dwight Howard, Andre Drummond, Deandre Jordan type center. Orlando would be good next to Vucevic. Sacramento would be great next to Cousins. Charlotte next to Jefferson. Etc. 

He is a very unorthadox player yet if you look at his prime in Atlanta you had a somewhat small C Al Horford who has decent touch and skill for his position. and around that you have Johnson, Crawford and Bibby who were all very good shooters/scorers. 

 

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