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We've officially hit the silly season that comes shortly before the NBA trade deadline. The latest evidence is an article from Hoops World (H/T TDP), that is packed with so much confusing, infuriating, intriguing information that I don't know where to begin.
How about this. The Detroit Pistons offseason targets consist of Josh Smith and Gerald Henderson.
Or how about this. The Pistons would love to trade for one or both before the trade deadline so the team can audition them (ala Jose Calderon, I guess).
Oh yeah, and the team wants to unload itself of its obligations to Rodney Stuckey and Charlie Villanueva.
Writer Steve Kyler calls Detroit "a player," not only for the large amount of cap space they will have in the offseason but because one of their offseason targets -- Smith -- is currently on the trading block.
You see, according to the report, the Pistons would love to trade the expiring deals of Jason Maxiell and Will Bynum for a player like Josh Smith. Why would Atlanta make that deal? He doesn't say.
I guess it is inevitable that the Pistons will continue to be linked to Josh Smith just because in prior years the team's desire for Smith was such an open secret. But with Greg Monroe and Andre Drummond in the fold there just isn't a place for Smith anymore.
And while I don't necessarily believe everything the team says in public. But every beat writer, from Keith Langlois to Vincent Goodwill, has stated that the team's goal is to shop smartly, conserve cap space and try and be a team that others look to to offload salary. As they say, where there is smoke there is fire.
As far as Henderson goes, I'm not surprised Pistons brass would be thinking about adding a shooting guard but Henderson doesn't do anything particularly well and if he is their target then I think the team is setting its sights too low.
There are players that can shoot the 3 better, play defense better and are just all around better than Henderson. And they'll probably be just as cheap. Keep shopping, Joe Dumars.