The Detroit Pistons and Sacramento Kings have talked about a potential Josh Smith deal:
Sources close to the situation told ESPN.com on Tuesday that the Pistons have engaged the Sacramento Kings in trade discussions this week that would potentially land Josh Smith in the same Sacramento frontcourt as DeMarcus Cousins and Rudy Gay. Sources say that Smith being swapped in exchange for the combination of Sacramento's Jason Thompson and Derrick Williams is one trade construction that the teams have discussed. Although one source insisted Tuesday that no deal is imminent, another source told ESPN.com that the teams have continued to exchange proposals, with Williams potentially being replaced by another Kings player such as Jason Terry or Carl Landry.
Here's the interesting part for Celtics fans:
Another potential bonus [for the Kings] is Smith's close relationship with Boston Celtics point guard Rajon Rondo, whom Sacramento has reportedly been targeting in trade talks for some time. One source said that the Kings' focus, for the moment, is Thursday's draft and perhaps swinging a trade involving the No. 8 overall pick. Sources told ESPN.com's Andy Katz on Tuesday that Sacramento has narrowed its potential draft pick trade partners down to Boston, Phoenix and Philadelphia -- three teams that have multiple first-round picks.
[Pistons may trade Josh Smith]
The Celtics are exploring all possible avenues, which seemingly could include moving back early in the first round (maybe allowing Sacramento to vault a couple of spots). But Grantland's Bill Simmons has a way to turn any chatter with the Kings into a blockbuster:
Here's how Sacramento could reunite Oak Hill buddies Rondo + Josh Smith. (Boston gets 8th pick as well.) http://t.co/7EQzMOohsc
— Bill Simmons (@BillSimmons) June 24, 2014