Josh Smith: Making a Case For and Against for Cavs

Dec 13, 2014; Sacramento, CA, USA; Detroit Pistons forward Josh Smith (6) dribbles the ball up the court against the Sacramento Kings during the second quarter at Sleep Train Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports

In a shocking turn of events Josh Smith was released by the Detroit Pistons. This coming only  a little more than a year into his stay in Detroit. Stan Van Gundy noted the Pistons desire to develop their young players as reason Smith was released but most saw problems the minute he was signed.

Smith has been an athletic power forward in the NBA. The Pistons signed him while already employing Greg Monroe and Andre Drummond at the two power positions. They tried putting Smith at the small forward spot but this just encouraged him to shoot more 3 pointers, which he thinks he is good at but stats prove he is not.

The Pistons struggled mightily during Smith’s time on the team. It didn’t help that another inefficient player, Brandon Jennings, was brought in at the same time as Smith. The Pistons are 5 – 23 this season and were 29 – 53 last year. 34 – 76, for a 31% winning percentage, is just not going to do it.

It leads to the question: Where does Josh Smith land from here?

With the Cleveland Cavaliers are the look out for a rim protecting big man Smith obviously becomes interesting, but is it a fit and should they make the move? That is the far more interesting question for us.

First let us start out with the basics. Smith has been waived and could be claimed by a team with the cap space to absorb his rather large contract. It is unlikely this occurs, and there are few teams with the cap space to pursue him.

After that he would become a free agent and the Pistons will have to pay him the remainder of his contract. That gives him the ability to go to whatever team he wants and not to worry about how much he is being paid by that new team. That means the NBA Title contending Cleveland Cavaliers should be on his list of possible destinations.

Next: Rockets and Kings are Contenders for Smith