The Detroit Pistons have waived Josh Smith.

Smith is owed $26 million over the next two seasons and the Pistons will use the stretch provision on his contract to give the team some cap relief.

The Sacramento Kings made multiple overtures to sign Smith in the offseason, but Stan Van Gundy wanted to try to make his frontcourt of Smith, Andre Drummond and Greg Monroe work.

“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 Van Gundy.  “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.”

Marc Stein reports that the Pistons aggressively shopped Smith in recent weeks, but the Kings were the only team to show any real interest.