Pistons Star Josh Smith Dumped: Kings, Knicks, LA Clippers, Rockets, Mavericks Interested In Mercurial Forward: Joining Dwight Howard, Chris Paul Or Rajon Rondo?

The Detroit Pistons have waived Josh Smith, with $26 million still remaining on the contract star forward signed with the NBA team last year (which the Pistons still have to pay). Pistons Head Coach and President of Basketball Operations Stan Van Gundy told Smith the news this morning in a meeting, and early indications are that the L.A. Clippers, Houston Rockets, Sacramento Kings and Dallas Mavericks are interested in picking up the 6 ' 9" combo forward. Even it's a move to free up space for star center Andre Drummond, power forward Greg Monroe, similarly under-performing point guard Brandon Jennings and second-year guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, simply waiving Smith a remarkable move. The Pistons have reportedly tried to trade Smith, but in choosing to waive him, they still have to pay his contract.

Breaking News: @DetroitPistons have waived forward Josh Smith https://t.co/JTxUA57dO9 pic.twitter.com/2q3tFMLtrh

— NBA.com (@NBAcom) December 22, 2014

Stan Van Gundy said in a statement via nba.com:

"Our team has not performed the way we had expected throughout the first third of the season and adjustments need to be made in terms of our focus and direction."

"We are shifting priorities to aggressively develop our younger players while also expanding the roles of other players in the current rotation to improve performance and build for our future. As we expand certain roles, others will be reduced. In fairness to Josh, being a highly versatile 10-year veteran in this league, we feel it's best to give him his freedom to move forward. We have full respect for Josh as a player and a person."

ESPN's Marc Stein reported and tweeted out that "ESPN sources say that Stan Van Gundy delivered the news personally to Josh Smith in a meeting earlier today."

ESPN sources say that Stan Van Gundy delivered the news personally to Josh Smith in a meeting earlier today

— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) December 22, 2014

The Pistons last night lost to the Brooklyn Nets 110-105 and, at times, looked completely discombobulated and erratic against a team who have come to embody the idea of 'inconsistent'.

Pistons waive Josh Smith, who never found a way to fit in Detroit https://t.co/vBZa4TbEWJ pic.twitter.com/h12JHfAN2z

— CBS Sports NBA (@CBSSportsNBA) December 22, 2014 

As CBS Sports' James Herbert says, "This is stunning news." Herbert points out that while Smith "has struggled since arriving in Detroit last season", it's a crazy situation because "you never expect something this drastic to happen with a player who has two years and $27 million left on his deal." Yahoo! Sports Adrian Wojnarowski explained that the Piston will use the 'stretch' provision on Smith's contract, tweeting: "The Pistons will pay $5.4M a year on stretch provision for Smith, creating added $8.1M in cap space next two summers."

The Pistons will pay $5.4M a year on stretch provision for Smith, creating added $8.1M in cap space next two summers. — Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) December 22, 2014

According to NBA.com Smith has averaged "13.1 points, 7.2 rebounds and 4.7 assists while shooting 39.1% from the field, 24.3% from three point range and 46.8% from the free throw line." Since arriving from the Atlanta Hawks and signing with Detroit he's posted, "15.5 points, 6.9 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game." As for the teams interested in Smith, Yahoo!'s Wojnarowski and ESPN's Stein have tweeted that the Clippers, Kings, and Mavericks are interested in the forward.

Clippers have initial interest with Josh Smith, but want to dig deeper before jumping in, league source tells Yahoo Sports. — Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) December 22, 2014

Close relationships Josh Smith has with Rondo (Dallas) and Howard (Houston) are likely to be a factors in this sudden sweepstakes. But ... — Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) December 22, 2014

ESPN sources say both Kings and Mavericks have interest in signing Josh Smith as a free agent if (when) he clears waivers Wednesday — Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) December 22, 2014

Houston has advantage on most Josh Smith suitors, who only have minimum slots available: Rockets can offer Smith its bi-annual exception. — Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) December 22, 2014

But Josh Smith has had no bigger fan in the NBA in recent months than Kings owner @Vivek Ranadive, so keep your eye on Sacramento — Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) December 22, 2014

As for the Knicks... well. We all need a little more humor in our lives.

Seconded RT @cjzero Put Josh Smith on the Knicks, just for comedic value — Michael Lee (@MrMichaelLee) December 22, 2014

Hardwood Paroxysm's Matt Moore joked that if the Clippers pick up Smith from waivers, they can also sign Josh Childress and recreate what the '06 Atlanta Hawks "should have been".

If Clippers get Smoove, Clippers must waive Barnes, sign Josh Childress so we can have what Hawks 06 should have been — Hardwood Paroxysm (@HPbasketball) December 22, 2014

As for those asking why the Pistons would part ways with Smith, it's about freeing up time and space in their offense for Drummond and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (the Notorious KCP) and figuring out if Greg Monroe can try to help Drummond can anchor the team heading into the future. And for another answer, take a look below:

CORRECTION -- Josh Smith's shot chart THIS season: https://t.co/Jmk2H6vk4K #NBAStats #Pistons pic.twitter.com/qf9O590A0d

— NBA.com (@NBAcom) December 22, 2014