The Houston Rockets had one plan in the offseason, sign free agent Dwight Howard. While they remain confident the center moves to Texas, they decided not to put all their eggs in the Hoard basket, interviewing Josh Smith as a backup plan. The Rockets reportedly told Smith that if Howard was not an option, they would offer him a contract. Now, it looks like Houston wants Howard and Smith.
USA Today reports the Rockets held a meeting with Smith in Los Angeles discussing the possibility that he comes and plays with childhood friend Howard in Houston. While once a plan B, Smith is now part of plan A for the Rockets. Smith had been on the Rockets radar for some time, but when Houston realized they had a shot at getting Howard, they put the free agent on the backburner.
Houston's interest in Smith could be spawning from the team's meeting with Howard. While the center likes the idea of playing next to James Harden, he requested a third max-contract player be added. The idea of Chandler Parsons and Harden being Houston's two top players was not enough to win over Howard immediately. He wants someone like Smith to form a Big 3 with the Rockets.
The easiest way for Houston to get both Howard and Smith is a sign-and-trade with the Atlanta Hawks. While the Hawks are not figuring Smith into their future plans, they certainly are not looking to help another team try and win Howard. Atlanta believes they too are in the running for Howard and will not send Smith to Houston until they know the center's plans.
The Rockets likely do not have enough salary cap space to offer both Howard and Smith the max contracts they are requesting. Howard's contract would start at around over $20 million. Houston would have to get creative, possibly releasing players like James Anderson and Greg Smith. The Hawks could like the idea of a Jermey Lin and Omer Asik package, but not enough to give Houston Smith and Howard.
To get both players, Houston would be overhauling a roster that won 45 games last season. The lineup would include Harden, Howard, Smith, Patrick Beverley and Chandler Parsons. While the lineup is very formidable, the depth would be limited. Smith and Howard are talents, but carry a large weight of baggage including poor jump shot shooting and injury history. Harden is in clear control of Houston, so the question of whether everyone will mesh will be an issue as well.
