The Detroit Pistons looked at a Josh Smith trade this offseason with the Sacramento Kings and while that deal didn't work out, the team could pick up on it at the deadline and it comes as Greg Monroe is back on a one year deal and he will be a major free agent target next summer for teams like the Knicks, Celtics and Lakers.
Smith is signed to a three year deal and the Pistons looked at trading him to help clear out cap space and also to free things up in the rotation with Andre Drummond and Monroe. According to Pro Basketball Talk, Monroe was reluctant to sign a long term deal this offseason due to all the instability with the franchise and now he is betting on himself heading into next summer. Stan Van Gundy has expressed interest in keeping Monroe, while Monroe said that he has not ruled out coming back to Detroit in free agency.
According to ESPN.com, the Pistons and the Kings had some heavy talks about sending Smith to Sacramento, but the two sides could not agree on a deal. The Pistons had been looking to move Smith because of his contract and also because he basically plays the same position as Monroe and the team wants to keep Monroe long term. The Pistons are stuck with Smith for now and with Monroe on a one year deal, they know it's likely he will leave next summer if Smith remains.
Monroe came out to dismiss rumors that he wanted Smith traded, but it makes sense from a basketball standpoint anyway for the team to make a move. Drummond, Monroe and Smith all play within the same area and at times last season the Pistons had issues getting all three the ball and minutes in each game. Van Gundy is better at dealing with these issues, but Monroe realizes what could happen next summer and he is in position to have leverage as long as he stays healthy.
Monroe has been mostly healthy during his three year career and he is essentially betting on himself to make it to next summer, ala Max Scherzer did in baseball for the Tigers in Detroit this season. It worked for Scherzer and now Monroe has his chance. Joe Flacco did the same and won a championship and now Monroe is working on getting himself paid like one of the top young players in the league. Monroe was very solid last season with 15 points and nine rebounds per game and he is now battling with Smith to be the starting power forward.
The Pistons were not very good last season and now their best signing in the offseason apart from Monroe is out, as Jodie Meeks will miss eight weeks with an injury. Van Gundy went after players like Meeks to add depth to the roster and now the team will be stretched a little bit. Monroe did not get the offer sheet he wanted this offseason and ended up with the qualifying offer from the Pistons and he will be a major target for teams next summer. The Celtics, Knicks and Lakers all will have money to spend and they could go after the Pistons star.