NBA Trade Rumors: Houston Rockets Involved in “High Level Talks” for Josh Smith

It appears as though Atlanta Hawks forward Josh Smith will be traded before the 3pm ET deadline on Thursday and a new team has emerged as a possible destination. The Houston Rockets have reportedly had “high level talks” involving a trade that lands them Smith, this according to Ken Berger of CBSSports.

Berger also notes that the Rockets are “flush” with assets that could help them land Smith before the deadline. However while the Rockets may indeed have the assets to land Smith, they’re not going to over pay for him as some teams might have to do. This upcoming offseason, the Rockets will have some cap space to play with and will be able to give Smith a contract that might attract him.

So the logic here is the Rockets will only trade for Smith if they can get a good deal on him as they will be right back in the thick of the “Josh Smith Sweepstakes” this offseason.

Houston made perhaps the most surprising trade last night when the shed some contracts to net rookie Thomas Robinson from the Sacramento Kings. Even with that trade, which saw the Rockets give up three players to the Kings and also ship Marcus Morris to Phoenix, Houston still has players that will entice the Hawks in a trade.

However, the Hawks are seeking a trade that will not hurt their long term financial flexibility as the team is expected to go big in free agency this offseason and make a run at Dwight Howard.