While the Detroit Pistons hope to finalize a trade of Greg Monroe after the center denied yet another long-term contract offer from the team, there is interest once again in Josh Smith. This has been the storyline for the Pistons during the entire offseason. Three big men on the court at the same time failed for Detroit and now they are left trying to deal one of them with little interest coming from the outside. However, the Sacramento Kings have been keeping an eye on the situation and are taking a second glance at a deal for Smith.
ESPN reported earlier in the offseason that the Pistons favored keeping Monroe and Andre Drummond while dealing Smith and his large contract. However, that plan has not worked out at all. Monroe is a restricted free agent and turning down every offer from the Pistons including a lucrative five-year deal. That forced the Pistons to shop Smith, but his inflated contract is not turning any heads. At this point in the offseason, no one wants an overpaid player on the roster as Smith is in the middle of a four-year, $54 million deal. However, the Kings continue to circle the trade rumor circuit for the forward.
According to Chuck Myron of HoopsRUmors.com, the Kings are still interested in striking a deal for Smith. It is unclear how indepth discussions are going, but the Kings are still discussing a deal this offseason. Myron believes Sacramento is waiting to see what Detroit opts to do with Monroe before bringing back up trade talks. If Monroe departs, the Kings likely back off, but if Monroe is sent elsewhere, the Kings could look to be more aggressive in acquiring Smith.
Yahoo! Sports was reporting that the Pistons liked the idea of getting Smith in hopes that it would land them Rajon Rondo as well. They offered up a deal that included Derrick Williams and Jason Thompson, denying that Nik Stauskas was at all available. However, the Boston Celtics have shot down any report that Rondo is available now via trade or in free agency. According to Steve Kyler of BasketballInsiders.com, the Boston Celtics have no intentions of letting Rondo go anywhere. The team remains hopeful they can re-sign the point guard while adding more pieces around him.
Smith and Monroe have seen their names tossed around in several reports this offseason and so far nothing has happened. All signs point to Smith staying put and Monroe being forced into a one-year qualifying offer with the idea that he will become a free agent after that. The Detroit Pistons have not been able to secure a deal up to this point in the offseason and since most teams are maxed out on cap space, one is not going to come.
