NBA Free Agency 2013: Top 10 Biggest Surprises So Far

Feb 25, 2013; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Atlanta Hawks small forward Josh Smith (5) before the game against the Detroit Pistons at The Palace. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports

4. Josh Smith

From: Atlanta Hawks

To: Detroit Pistons

Contract: 4 years/$54 million

Rationale: The Pistons appeared to have their frontcourt of the future when rookie center Andre Drummond exceeded all expectations last season. Paired with sophomore finesse forward Greg Monroe, on paper the tandem covered for one another’s deficiencies, with one notable exception: neither could shoot. Josh Smith is arguably the best shooter of the three, but that’s not a compliment. The versatile forward was originally supposed to entice Dwight Howard to Atlanta; failing that, Houston was rumored to be pursuing him, once again to pair with Howard. Although the Pistons will probably trade Greg Monroe eventually, they will first explore starting Josh Smith at small forward. Credit to Joe Dumars for thinking outside the box. Nothing is guaranteed, but fortune favors the bold.