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Detroit Pistons waive Josh Smith

New York Knicks Raymond Felton passes the ball while on the ground to Carmelo Anthony past Detroit Pistons Josh Smith in the third quarter at Madison Square Garden in New York City on January 7, 2014. The Knicks defeated the Pistons 89-85. UPI/John Angelillo
New York Knicks Raymond Felton passes the ball while on the ground to Carmelo Anthony past Detroit Pistons Josh Smith in the third quarter at Madison Square Garden in New York City on January 7, 2014. The Knicks defeated the Pistons 89-85. UPI/John Angelillo | License Photo

The Detroit Pistons waived forward Josh Smith on Monday.

Smith averaged 13.1 points and 7.2 rebounds this season for the 5-23 Pistons, who enter Monday's action with the third-worst record in the league.

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"Our team has not performed the way we had expected throughout the first third of the season and adjustments need to be made in terms of our focus and direction," said Stan Van Gundy, head coach and president of basketball operations for the Pistons in a statement.

"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. 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 acquired Smith as a free agent after the 2012-13 season. During his time with Detroit, Smith averaged 15.5 points and 6.9 rebounds per game.

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For his career, Smith has averages for 15.4 points and 7.8 rebounds in 781 games with the Atlanta Hawks and Pistons.

[SportsNetwork.com]

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