The Detroit Pistons made "a serious push to find a new home for Josh Smith" at the trade deadline, according to Chad Ford.

Smith signed a four-year, $54 million contract with the Pistons in the offseason. The addition of Smith has caused issues in the frontcourt due to the presence of Andre Drummond and Greg Monroe.

Monroe will be a restricted free agent in the offseason.

The Charlotte Bobcats and Ben Gordon are engaged in buyout negotiations, sources tell Yahoo! Sports.

The Bobcats acquired Gary Neal at the trade deadline.

Gordon is in the final season of his five-year, $55 million deal signed in 2009 with the Detroit Pistons.

Gordon was traded to the Bobcats in 2012, along with a protected first round pick for Corey Maggette.

Charlie Villanueva is hopeful of receiving a contract buyout from the Detroit Pistons before March 1.

Villanueva has already been paid two-thirds of his contract this season. He is in the final year of his deal.

“Anything’s possible. Right now, it is what it is,” Villanueva said. “I wish I could help this team in any way possible, but they’re going in a different direction. It’s part of the business, but if it presented itself, that’s something we’d look at, for sure.”

Villanueva was one of the few players who didn’t participate in a team boycott of a 2011 shoot-around in Philadelphia a day after the trade deadline.

“I’ve thought about that (stuff). But there’s always a right and wrong way to do things, and I’ll always do the right thing,” Villanueva said. “I’m a professional. It’s a privilege to play in this league. My situation ain’t so bright right now.”

Chauncey Billups will undergo knee surgery to repair his right meniscus, according to sources.

Billups has been in and out of the Detroit Pistons' lineup this season.

The injury is not considered season-ending or career-threatening.

Billups is believed receive surgery to return this season. He signed a two-year contract with the Pistons in free agency.

The Cleveland Cavaliers have held trade talks with the Dallas Mavericks, Detroit Pistons and Indiana Pacers on Luol Deng.

There is little traction on the talks as no team seems inclined to give up highly valued assets for Deng, who will be a free agent in the offseason.

Deng is determined to test free agency before making a decision on whether to re-sign with the Cavaliers.

Deng will be seeking a deal in the $12 million to $13 million per season range.

Andre Drummond was named Rising Stars MVP, finishing the game with 30 points and 25 rebounds.

Team Hill defeated Team Webber by a final score of 142-136.

Tim Hardaway Jr. had 36 points, and also paid homage to teammate J.R. Smith by pretending to untie the shoelaces of Drummond.

Drummond joins the likes of Penny Hardaway, Kyrie Irving, Allen Iverson, Kevin Durant and Daniel Gibson as an MVP of the Rising Stars Challenge (full list).

The Detroit Pistons won't conduct a coaching search until the end of the season.

John Loyer will coach the Pistons for the remainder of the season after the club fired Maurice Cheeks.

Lionel Hollins has been mentioned as a possible candidate the Pistons will pursue.

The Detroit Pistons fired Maurice Cheeks on Sunday morning, according to sources.

The Pistons had back to back victories over the weekend but informed Cheeks of his dismissal on Sunday.

Tom Gores became increasingly impatient with Cheeks and pushed for change in the coaching staff.

Detroit is 21-29 and behind Charlotte for the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference playoff chase.

Sam Amick of USA Today reports that the Pistons plan on pursuing Lionel Hollins.