In the aftermath of Mike Malone's removal as head coach of the Sacramento Kings, details have emerged on the fractured relationship between coach and management.
That's hardly surprising considering Malone was installed two weeks before general manager Pete D'Alessandro was, the opposite of a normal hiring chain. Reports have suggested Malone and management disagreed mostly on style of play, but details from Adrian Wojnarowski's report of the firing show that they disagreed on personnel matters, too.
Specifically, Malone wanted no part of acquiring Detroit Pistons wing Josh Smith, who the Kings were said to have pursued aggressively via trade in the offseason. Instead of the Kings backing off based on Malone's opinion, they apparently continued to try and work a deal, only for the Pistons to decline their offers.
Smith has played poorly to start the season for Detroit, averaging just 13.7 points - his fewest since 2005-06 - and shooting a career-worst 38.9 percent. He's managed to add 7.5 rebounds, 4.7 assists, 1.2 steals and 1.8 blocks and remains a more-than-capable defender when engaged. Though, that engagement level is inconsistent.
Acquiring Smith, who has three years and $42 million remaining on his contract including this season, would have represented a similar move to when the team landed Rudy Gay a year ago. A quality player on a bad contract and with a damaged reputation, Smith is the type of acquisition the Kings may not be able to make in free agency, and would thus be worth the gamble in a trade.
Style-wise, Smith could fit as a small-ball power forward - the role he's best suited to. Though, he and Gay would seem an unfit pairing at first blush.
It's unclear if Malone's removal may see the Kings reignite discussions with the Pistons.
