Fansided

Houston Rockets sign point guard Ish Smith

By Sam Richmond

Apr 16, 2014; Sacramento, CA, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Ish Smith (3) speaks with head coach Jeff Hornacek between plays against the Sacramento Kings during the second quarter at Sleep Train Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 16, 2014; Sacramento, CA, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Ish Smith (3) speaks with head coach Jeff Hornacek between plays against the Sacramento Kings during the second quarter at Sleep Train Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Houston Rockets have agreed to a one-year deal with point guard Ish Smith, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports.

After dealing Jeremy Lin to the Los Angeles Laker earlier this offseason, the Rockets needed another point guard to play behind Patrick Beverley and Isaiah Canaan.

Still, going from Lin to Smith is a pretty enormous downgrade. Lin averaged 12.5 points (44.6 percent shooting from the field and 35.8 percent from beyond the arc) and 4.1 assists while averaging 28.9 minutes per game last season.

On the other hand, Smith averaged just 3.7 points (42.3 percent shooting from the field and .043 percent shooting from outside) and 2.6 assists while playing 14.4 minutes per game last year with the Phoenix Suns.

It’s important to note Smith’s lack of three-point shot, as the Rockets are one of the best sharp-shooting teams in the NBA, so the point guard does not fit in that respect.

Still, at this stage in free agency the Rockets didn’t have many options to chose from.

Also, Smith is 26 and perhaps has a little more room to grow. He went undrafted out of Wake Forrest in 2010.

The Suns waived Smith on Tuesday and released the following statement (via Inside Hoops):

"“We thank Ish Smith for his contributions to the Suns,” said President of Basketball Operations Lon Babby. “He played with an infectious joy. We wish him well.”"

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