Super Lord of the Rings

After examination, Gobert suffered a shoulder injury in the Christmas game and will be sidelined for two weeks. The Kings are suddenly tight inside, with only one big man left in Whiteside.

Gobert averaged only 9 minutes per game last season, scoring 2.1 points, 3.2 rebounds and 0.8 blocks.

This season, he averaged 26.4 minutes per game, and his data soared to 10.4 points, 9.5 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 2.3 blocks. He has become a popular center in the league and is expected to win the Most Improved Player Award.

The absence of such a big man has an obvious impact on the team. On the 27th, the Kings lost to the Hawks away from home.

Whiteside can also protect the basket, but is less able to defend against pick-and-rolls. The Hawks' offense mainly relies on defender breakthroughs and outside shooting, and does not attack the inside at all, which is exactly the characteristics of the Kings.

After this game, the Kings announced the layoff of fringe inside man Chuck Hayes.

Hayes rarely had a chance to play in the team. He played 18 minutes against the Hawks and scored 2 points and 3 rebounds. He was a spectator on the offensive end but had little effect on the defensive end.

The coaching staff can be sure that he is no longer the outstanding defensive lineman he once was. His movement speed has slowed down, and he has lost his height simply by being a "human shield".

Hayes can't guard Jeff Green alone, and he can't stop Teague and Ellis from breaking through after the pick-and-roll. The Hawks are also playing small ball tactics this season, and sometimes Millsap plays a guest role at center.

When center Antic starts, his shooting range reaches beyond the three-point line and can open up space. When the Kings play Aminu and Carroll as power forwards, Millsap can still attack. After arriving with the Hawks, he was a star who did not hesitate to dunk.

Instead of sending Hayes, it is better to let Patterson play more. At least he can shoot three-pointers and be more effective offensively.

The Kings are not short of players in every position, and there are no serious injuries. One position is vacant because the Pistons suddenly announced that they had waived Josh Smith.

The Kings management feels that the team's No. 4 position is the weakest. It's just not good enough at outside defense. The power forward lacks the ability to support. As long as Smith is hired, this problem can be solved.

Last summer, the Pistons signed Smith for four years and $54 million. Today, he has two years left on his contract worth a total of $26 million.

"Yahoo Sports" well-known reporter Adrian Wojnarowski received a tip that the Pistons will use the extension clause, which means that the remaining contract of Smith will be divided over 5 years, which means that he will pay $5.4 million per year. As a result, the Pistons will have an additional $8.1 million in salary space over the next two summers.

According to the alliance regulations,

Within 48 hours after Smith is laid off, a team with salary space can directly claim it, but must take over Smith's contract in full. Of course no team would do such a stupid thing.

After the 48-hour claiming period, Smith will become a free agent and can sign with any team except the Pistons.

Talking about why Smith was laid off, Pistons new coach and president of basketball operations Stan Van Gundy said: "The team's performance did not meet expectations. In order to regain focus and direction, we need to make some changes. Now, we will prioritize training. Young players, while expanding the roles of other players in the team and building the future. Smith has played in this league for 10 years, and we think giving him freedom is the best solution. We respect Smith very much."

So far this season, the 29-year-old Smith has played a total of 28 games for the Pistons, averaging 32 minutes per game, averaging 13.1 points, 7.2 rebounds, 4.7 assists, 1.7 blocks and 1.3 steals, but his shooting percentage was only 39.1% and his free throw rate was only 39.1%. The rate is only 46.8%.

The Pistons' record in their first 28 games was 5 wins and 23 losses, ranking third from the bottom in the Eastern Conference.

As a power forward with super mobility and comprehensive skills, Smith has no worries about finding a new home. He has successively received offers from many powerful teams such as the Clippers, Cavaliers, Kings, and Mavericks.

The Rockets play the emotional card. Howard and Smith have been friends since high school. The two won the AAU amateur league together. After Smith was waived, Howard bluntly told his old friend: "If you want to win, Houston will be a very good choice."

The Rockets are persistent in their pursuit of Smith. In 2013, the Rockets, who had just acquired the "Magic Combination", tried to recruit Smith through trade many times, but unfortunately they failed to do so.

Petry contacted Smith's agent but received no reply, and then called Wang Jun to explain the situation.

"Wang, I hope you can call and talk to Josh in person. This will first appear more sincere."

Wang Jun hopes that the lineup will be stronger, and of course he is willing to cooperate. "No problem, what should I say? Just say that you are willing to win the championship with him?"

Petry smiled and said: "Yes, you can also promise that he will play a lot of time in the Kings, and you are willing to renew his contract next season. He has strength, defensive experience is not Aminu, people like Covington can He has rich experience in the playoffs. If you praise him more, you must recruit him."

Things are urgent. Smith certainly doesn't want to miss the regular season and will make a decision as soon as possible.

Wang Jun immediately called Smith.

When he was with the Bulls, Wang Jun played four games with the Hawks in the regular season a year. Smith and Hinrich were teammates for a while. They had dinner together. Although they had no friendship, they knew each other and chatted.

When Smith saw the call was from Wang Jun, he happily picked up the call: "Hello, Wang, what's the matter?"

"Of course I'm inviting you to join the Kings. We have vacated the spot and are waiting for your nod. You will definitely have a lot of opportunities to perform, and you can also renew your long-term contract next season." Wang Jun thought for a while and added. "If you want a championship, the King is the way to go."

Smith smiled: "I originally wanted to think about it, but...I am really optimistic about the King now. Your 101 points in that game shocked me so much."

"You agreed? Welcome, come quickly, you won't be disappointed." Wang Jun didn't expect it to go so smoothly, and his reputation was getting bigger and bigger.

Josh has been unable to find his touch this season. Playing with Wang Jun, he can get some open opportunities. The Kings are suitable for him.

Since he wasn't going to get a high salary anyway, he didn't want to beat around the bush. If he wins the championship this season, he will enter the free market and try to sign a high-paying long-term contract, and he will have no regrets from now on.

There are only a few teams that are likely to win the championship, the Spurs, Warriors, Kings, and Nets.

The other three teams all have star power forwards. If Josh goes there, he will definitely be a substitute, or even a marginal player, without much room for performance.

As for the Rockets, it's true that he and Howard are good friends, but it's impossible for the Rockets to win the championship. He thinks they have no future.

Smith is a decisive person. After hanging up the phone, he contacted his agent and the matter was settled. He joined the Kings with a minimum salary.

At the press conference of joining, when asked by reporters about his feelings, Smith said excitedly: "For me, this is definitely an exciting moment, being able to play with Wang Jun, the strongest player currently and the best team player. , I think we can do something special together. I hope to win the championship and I will contribute my strength!"

This signing made headlines. Basketball experts analyzed that after Josh joins, Patterson can move to the center position and appear in small ball tactics. The Kings' counterattack will be sharper and their defense will also be improved.

Josh has top-notch lateral movement at the 4th position, dunk king-level jumping, is good at guarding pick-and-rolls, and has excellent shot-blocking ability. In 2010, he was selected to the second team of the All-Defensive Team.

The Kings' strength has improved significantly and they are closer to the championship.

PS (To be continued.):