Clippers Coach Doc Rivers, who also is the team’s president of basketball operations, was asked if Los Angeles would explore trying to acquire forward Josh Smith, who was waived by Detroit on Monday.
“I don’t know,” Rivers said before his team’s shoot-around in preparation for Monday night’s game against San Antonio. “It just happened.”
Smith was let go by the Pistons Monday morning with two years and $26 million remaining on his contract.
If Smith, 29, clears waivers in the next 48 hours, he would be able to sign with any team of his choosing by Wednesday.
The Clippers would only have the minimum to offer Smith to play for them.
Also, because the Clippers have a 15-man roster, they would have to waive a player before they could sign Smith.
Kevin Eastman, the Clippers’ vice president of basketball operations, is with the team in San Antonio, and he was seen talking on his cellphone Monday after the media talked to Rivers about Smith.
Clippers assistant coach Mike Woodson was the head coach in Atlanta when Smith had some of his best seasons playing for the Hawks.
The Houston Rockets, Dallas Mavericks and Sacramento Kings also reportedly are interested in the 6-9 Smith, who averaged 13.1 points, 7.1 rebounds and 4.7 assists for the Pistons this season.
Twitter: @BA_Turner
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