Houston you have a problem…
The Detroit Pistons were so frustrated with the play of Josh Smith that they used the stretch provision in the league’s collective bargaining agreement to release him, which essentially meant paying him more than $27 million just to go away.
The Rockets, ever opportunistic, chose to add Smith to their roster for a little more than $2 million this season. Well now they’re really paying for that decision.
via ProBasketballTalk:
Smith scored 21 points and grabbed eight rebounds in his Houston debut, which resulted in a win over the Memphis Grizzlies. He was then given a spot in his new team’s starting lineup, but after producing little there in his last four games, Rockets head coach Kevin McHale sent him back to the bench.
After shooting a combined 9-of-31 in his last four contests, Donatas Montiejunas was re-inserted into the starting lineup for Houston’s home contest against the Heat on Saturday.
In five games with the Rockets, Smith has averaged career lows in points (8.4) and rebounds (5.2), while shooting 34.6 percent from the field, and 12.5 percent from three-point distance. Houston is just 2-3 since adding Smith to the roster.
The Detroit Pistons on the other hand are 4-0 since releasing Smith. Now I’m not saying he was the source of all their issues buttttt it does look pretty bad.
