The Detroit Pistons tried to trade Josh Smith to the Sacramento Kings this summer and while a deal did not go down, things could come up this season as they try and work out a deal later on with Greg Monroe to stay long term and Stan Van Gundy may use Smith to help with that, as he wants to build around Monroe and Andre Drummond as the Pistons move into the future.
The Pistons wanted to sign Monroe long term, but he was weary of joining up with a new front office after a few years of terrible decisions and play from the team. According to ESPN.com, Monroe is content to have the one year qualifying offer to make him a free agent next summer, as he feels that he can get a better deal on the open market. Monroe has already stated that the Pistons are in the running to keep him despite becoming a free agent and in a way he is betting on himself not to get injured this year.
Joe Dumars signed Smith to a big deal and he is getting paid over $14 million per season and that has been one of the reasons why the Pistons want to trade him. The Kings showed heavy interest in Smith but a deal couldn't get done and now that could pick up later this season. The Pistons want to build around Monroe and Drummond, but having Smith there complicates things. His money is an issue and so is his position, as all three players play in the same area and that bunch up has made it complicated for Detroit to work things out.
Smith is a solid offensive player, but last season his numbers were down and while part of that was the Pistons play as a whole, he clearly is not the scorer he once was with Atlanta. The Kings see Smith as the perfect complement up front with DeMarcus Cousins and they feel that combination could help the team could pull out of the west cellar. Smith will come up in trade rumors again this season with Monroe on his way to free agency and the Pistons may look at making a move.
Monroe is going to get chased by a number of teams and that is due to the fact that he is young and also because he has been healthy through his early career. Monroe feels he can make it through this season before hitting the market and after putting up solid numbers last year, he has the chance to get a pretty sweet deal next year. The Pistons will be among a number of teams chasing after Monroe, as the Knicks, Lakers and Celtics all will have money to spend.
The Lakers may look at Monroe as an option after missing out on the chance to get Kevin Love, as they were gearing up to sign him when he hit free agency this summer. That clearly won't be happening now. The Knicks also appear to be an option for Monroe, although reports have the team also going after Rajon Rondo and Marc Gasol on the market in 2015. Monroe is a great young players and whoever gets him even the Pistons likely will have to pay up.