July 2016 – Page 23 – NBA Blog

Ish Smith to sign with Pistons

Ish Smith did some fun things on the Sixers last season, averaging 14.7 points, 4.3 rebounds and 7.0 assists in 50 games for Philly. But he’ll be bringing his talents to Detroit. Here’s the Philadelphia Inquirer reporting:

Ish Smith wanted to resign with the 76ers, but knew it wasn’t a guarantee. And he wasn’t going to sit around and wait.

So the point guard has agreed to a three-year, $18 million deal with the Detroit Pistons, according to a source. The Detroit News first reported that Smith reached an agreement. A contract may not be signed until July 7.

“He wanted to come back to Philly, but they never called him,” the source said.

Pistons will likely keep Andre Drummond

Here’s the Detroit Free Press on the Pistons and rugged young center Andre Drummond, who are looking to stick together:

ESPN.com reported early this morning that the Detroit Pistons and center Andre Drummond are nearing agreement on a five-year deal in the $130-million range.

The deal — which was widely expected — would make the 22-year-old the highest-paid player in Pistons history.

The only variable is whether Drummond negotiates a player-option year, meaning that he could choose to opt out before the fifth season to hit the open market again.

The Pistons would prefer a five-year term, but remember, Drummond agreed to wait on the extension that he could have signed last off-season to give the Pistons extra salary cap space.