1. How do you grade the Pistons signing of Josh Smith?
Dan Feldman: B-. Beyond Chris Paul and Dwight Howard, two players the Pistons had zero chance of landing, Josh Smith was the best free agent this offseason. Unfortunately in part because hes not an ideal fit with Greg Monroe and And Drummond Smith wont necessarily lift the Pistons to the playoffs. For a team that will lose its first-round pick with even minor improvements, thats a big problem. Good for the Pistons for getting Smith, and watching them next season will be more enjoyable because of this signing. Im just not convinced it advances the ultimate goal of contending for a championship.
Patrick Hayes: A. Are there fit questions? Are there cost questions? Absolutely. But the bottom line is, Smith was one of the top fourish free agents on the market. Joe Dumars did something many observers thought he couldnt entice a top-tier free agent to sign in Detroit. How Smith fits can be worked out later, but the Pistons, simply, need more good players, and Smith is a really good player.
Brady Fredericksen: B+. Does adding Josh Smith make the Pistons better? Yeah. Does Smith help alleviate two of the last seasons biggest weaknesses in rebounding and defense? Yes, it does. Dans outlined it before, but Smiths positives outweigh some of the negatives like iffy shooting or concerns as a wing player. Whether or not you would have signed Smith, Joe Dumars almost had to. He had to either make a splash to improve the team or stand pat and see his time in Detroit likely end next summer. What else should he have done?
