Report: Pistons' desire to move Josh Smith overstated

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Everyone's assumptions about how Stan Van Gundy envisions the Detroit Pistons are yet to come to fruition. That doesn't mean they're not correct, and that Van Gundy doesn't love the idea of a space-clogging frontcourt trio of Josh Smith, Greg Monroe and Andre Drummond, but the team isn't operating that way, yet.

Van Gundy, for example, has spoken very highly of Monroe and suggested the team is willing to retain the restricted free agent, up to a certain price point.

While some thought that could mean Smith was on the move - and rumors did heat up around a Smith-for-Isaiah Thomas deal with Sacramento - current reports are that the team's desire to split the trio up has been overstated.

According to the same report, team's are thought to be low-balling Detroit with offers, assuming, like many observers, that the Pistons will eventually move one of the players.

But the Kings idea is dead and there has been little in the way of hot rumors with either name involved. The league will know more on Thursday when teams can formally sign Monroe to offer sheets, but operating under the certainty that this frontcourt is breaking up no longer seems prudent.

The Monroe-Drummond pairing was rendered ineffective with Smith, but maybe Van Gundy thinks he can coax more out of the trio with a more creative offense and lineup staggering.

Or, you know, Van Gundy is just playing the game well.