Pistons players excited about Josh Smith joining team

Posted by Inside Hoops

Jul 8

The Pistons’ acquisition of Josh Smith sent shock waves through the NBA and it received positive reactions from two of the team’s building blocks.

Smith will make life easier for Brandon Knight and Andre Drummond, the team’s first-round picks in 2011 and 2012, respectively.

“Honestly, he’s a great player,” Drummond said after the Pistons‘ 76-67 Summer League win over the Brooklyn Nets Sunday at the Amway Center. “He creates shots for himself and his teammates. He’s (like) a big guard.”

Knight, who didn’t play with the summer league team but practiced with them this week, approved of the deal — which was to be expected.

“Athletic player, competitor, tough, tough guy,” he said. “If he does decide to come, he’ll be a great player to have.”

Smith agreed to a four-year, $54 million deal with the Pistons Saturday afternoon, which sprouted from the Pistons having interest in the former Atlanta Hawks forward for years on end.