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Pistons waive Josh Smith

Posted at 12:08 PM, Dec 22, 2014
and last updated 2014-12-22 12:11:15-05

DETROIT, Mich. — It took less than a year and a half for the Josh Smith experiment to end in Detroit.

The Pistons waived the 10-year veteran on Monday, as the team tries to recover from a 5-23 start to the season.

Smith has averaged 13.1 points and 7.2 rebounds this season — but has continued to struggle from the perimeter, shooting just 24.3% from three-point range.

The Pistons signed Smith as a free agent from Atlanta in July 2013.

“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,” Pistons coach and president of basketball operations Stan Van Gundy said in a release Monday morning.

“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.”

The Pistons are off until Friday, when they host the Indiana Pacers at 7:30 p.m.