Josh Smith Release: Houston Rockets Intersted In Making Offer
By Josh Hill
The Houston Rockets lost out on Rajon Rondo last week, but they may make a move on recently released forward Josh Smith, who could be a great fit with the team.
The Detroit Pistons have had enough of Josh Smith and his underperforming and straight up cut him on Modnay morning. The team is likely going to eat a lot of his salary in the process, as no one is going to claim him off of waivers, but they’re rid of him and that’s what they wanted.
More from Houston Rockets
- NBA rumors: Hawks trade candidate, Sixers miss out, Lakers almost lose Reaves
- NBA insider explains real reason the Grizzlies were done with Dillon Brooks
- Rockets projected lineup and rotations heading into 2023-24 season
- 3 potential James Harden suitors not named the Clippers
- Cam Whitmore already starting revenge tour after draft-night fall
Now it comes down to who will be the team that takes a chance on Smith and signs him once he clears waivers. He likely won’t sit around for long, as Smith is an All-Star talent when in the right system, and that system may be waiting for him down in Houston with the Western Conference contending Houston Rockets.
According to Marc Stein from ESPN, the Rockets are interested in making a run at Josh Smith,, something Adrian Wojnarowski from Yahoo! Sports later followed up and confirmed.
Rockets, I'm told, are in fact-finding mode and weighing whether to make a Josh Smith run. Too early to say if they're in or out
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) December 22, 2014
Houston has an interest in signing Josh Smith, league sources tell Yahoo Sports.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) December 22, 2014
Marc J. Spears goes on to mention that the Rockets could end up being a fit thanks to Smith’s close relationship with Dwight Howard.
Rockets center Dwight Howard is also close with Josh Smith, too. Ex-AAU teammates from ATL. Rockets had previous interested in Smith, too
— Marc J. Spears (@MarcJSpears) December 22, 2014
One major factor here is that the Rockets are the only team that can offer Josh Smith more than minimum dollars on his new deal. The Dallas Mavericks, Los Angeles Clippers and other interested parties can only offer up the minimum to Smith which may lead him to Houston.
The Rockets lost out on Rajon Rondo, but adding Smith to thriller core of Dight Howard and James Harden could be something that puts them back in the mix for a top spot in the West.
More from FanSided
- NFL rumors: Aaron Rodgers sets Jets up for Super Bowl run with new contract
- MLB Trade Grades: Dodgers land Amed Rosario from Guardians
- Colorado gives Pac-12 a possible death knell with move to Big 12
- NFL rumors: Dalvin Cook suitor maintaining very ‘real’ interest
- Braves get dose of bad news on Max Fried as ace nears return