NBA Free Agency: Josh Smith To Sign Near Max Deal With Detroit

May 1, 2013; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Atlanta Hawks forward Josh Smith (5) goes up for a lay up and is fouled by Indiana Pacers center Ian Mahinmi (28) in game five of the first round of the 2013 NBA Playoffs at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

The Atlanta Hawks never even offered free-agent forward Josh Smith a contract this offseason.

Luckily, for the nine-year veteran, the Detroit Pistons did. And a very big contract offer at that.

The two sides agreed to a four-year, $56 million deal Saturday afternoon, according to Yahoo! NBA Insider Adrian Wojnarowski. Smith, 27, is one of the NBA’s most unique and versatile talents the league has going right now, a 6-foot-9 “small” forward who averaged 17.5 points, 8.4 rebounds and 4.2 assists for the Hawks last season.

Maybe a change of scenery is what Smith — who has spent his entire career in Atlanta — needed and maybe its also what Detroit needs. The Pistons haven’t been relevant — in a good way — since 2007. They’ve been “rebuilding” ever since.

Perhaps “rebuilding” wasn’t working, because the signing of Smith is technically termed a “quick fix”. Hopefully, it works out for both sides.

If Detroit wants to turn this offseason into an A-plus they would pick up the phone and call Boston. Smith and Rajon Rondo have had interest in playing together in the past. If the Pistons could pull this off, watch out.