The Houston Rockets have been eyeing a trade move this season as they continue to struggle with consistency. The Rockets are trying to put together the best roster to compete with the likes of the Golden State Warriors and San Antonio Spurs and that required a trade. After hovering around potential deals for weeks, the Rockets finally pulled the trigger and brought back Josh Smith.
According to Yahoo! Sports, the Rockets have announced they negotiated a trade with the Los Angeles Clippers to bring back Smith. The forward spent last season with the Houston Rockets after being traded from the Detroit Pistons. HE averaged 12.0 points and 6.0 rebounds coming off the bench. The Rockets wanted to re-sign Smith, but not at the price he was commanding. The Clippers came in and signed him to a one-year deal worth $1.5 million and Smith only averaged 5.9 points on a 38.3 percent shooting. As a result, they began seeking trade deals and now Smith is back with the Rockets as he tries to be the x-factor the team needs for the postseason. James Harden and Jason Terry both told the media that they like the way Smith fits with the team.
Acquiring Smith in a trade means that Ty Lawson is expected to stay put. According to Sam Amick of USA Today, the Rockets are no longer searching for deals for Lawson at the trade deadline and will instead keep him coming off the bench. Lawson is a starter at the moment while Patrick Beverley nurses an ankle injury. When Beverley returns, Lawson will go back to coming off the bench with the reserves. The point guard has not exactly been the playmaking machine the Rockets thought they were acquiring in the offseason, but they are not ready to give up on Lawson just yet.
Most recently, Lawson was linked to the Milwaukee Bucks as Steve Kyler of Basketball Insiders reported that trade. It appears to no longer be happening. The Rockets will instead keep Lawson on in hopes that he can gain better chemistry with guys like James Harden and then the team can easily release him at the end of the year. Lawson is set to earn $12.4 million this season while waiving the final year of contract.
"Just see if we can put a little boot in there and give Ty an opportunity to play extended minutes," coach JB Bickerstaff said, via ESPN.com. "See if that helps him, see what the dynamic looks like now with he and James (Harden) on the floor together a little bit more. I think there's a little bit more comfort."
The Rockets have assets they can use to seek other trade deals. Terrence Jones and Corey Brewer are available according to Calvin Watkins of ESPN.com. If Smith turns out to not be enough, the Rockets can make other moves.
