The LA Lakers are no longer be an option to sign Josh Smith after he was waived and this comes as the team may target names like Marc Gasol, Deron Williams, Brandon Jennings or Greg Monroe in the future if Jeremy Lin or Nash are moved in trade deals, as Kobe Bryant needs some support moving forward for Los Angeles to contend.
The Houston Rockets are the frontrunners for a Josh smith deal according to ESPN and other media reports, but the Lakers could be intriguing since they can offer more money than other teams. Pro Basketball Talk reports that the Dallas Mavericks, Lakers, Houston Rockets, LA Clippers, Miami Heat and Sacramento Kings are all interested in signing Smith. After Smith was initially waived, reports said he wanted to play with a contender, but Steve Kyler of Basketball Insiders writes that Smith's decision could "linger" and may not hinge on contending.
--UPDATE: Josh Smith has signed with the Rockets.
The Pistons opted to make a move with Smith despite the fact that they owe him $26 million over the next years and they will still be on the hook for that. According to ESPN.com, the Miami Heat are looking to sign Smith, while the Houston Rockets and Dallas Mavericks are also interested in the former Pistons forward. Miami applied for a disabled player exception to get more money on their offer for Smith and if they are granted that, the team can offer more than Houston.
The Rockets said that they are confident they will get Smith once he clears waivers and it apart from the fact they are a contender, Smith is close friends with Dwight Howard. Smith is also close with Rajon Rondo and with the Mavericks in contention and major players after trading for Rondo, Smith could sign there. Miami is looking for a boost on offense and adding someone like Smith could give Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh more offensive support in the front court.
That would open things up for the Lakers, but many have pointed to close relationships for Smith with Dwight Howard and Rajon Rondo that could sway things. Rondo was dealt to the Mavericks after the Lakers, Knicks and Kings all showed interest in the point guard and now those franchises will have to make other plans. The Brooklyn Nets reportedly put Deron Williams, Brook Lopez and Joe Johnson on the trade block this season and as the trading deadline gets closer the team could explore moves. The Lakers could be interested in acquiring Williams after missing out on Rondo, while Lance Stephenson could also be an option after getting off to a tough start this season.
Rondo may end up on the free agent market despite the trade, but in all likelihood he signs an extension with the Mavs, keeping him out of the mix in the summer of 2015. According to ESPN.com writer Marc Stein, now that Rondo is off the board, the Lakers likely will target Deron Williams and/or Goran Dragic at the trade deadline and next summer. The Lakers have been a mess this season and after Kobe Bryant expressed his disappointment that the team did not pick up Rajon Rondo in a trade, they could sign Smith or make another move to make up for it.