The Detroit Pistons have requested waivers on Josh Smith, according to the Detroit Costless Press.
This is shocking news coming out of the Motor City, as Smith, 29, was averaging 13.1 points and 7.2 rebounds in 32 minutes per game through 28 games this season.
"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," Pistons head coach and president of basketball operations Stan Van Gundy told the Detroit Costless Press.
Detroit will use the stretch provision on the $26 million dollars remaining on Smith's contract, according to Yahoo! Sports. Smith had signed a four-year, $54 million deal with Detroit back in 2013. The Atlanta native struggled to live up to the high expectations in Detroit, shooting a poor 41 percent in two seasons with the Pistons.
Smith can be claimed off waivers within 48 hours by teams with cap space. If he is not claimed within that time frame, he will become a costless agent and costless to sign with any team.
The Sacramento Kings, Houston Rockets, and Dallas Mavericks are teams that will be interested in signing Josh Smith if he clears waivers on Wednesday.