Josh Smith Traded from LA Clippers Back to Houston

Josh Smith left the Houston Rockets for the Los Angeles Clippers this past offseason, but now Smith is heading right back to Houston in a trade, according to Yahoo Sports’ Adrian Wojnarowski.

January 22, 2016Clippers are sending cash to Houston with Josh Smith, covering the balance of his salary. Smith was an integral player in Houston – he helped beat the Clippers in the playoffs, erasing a 3-1 series deficit – and his signing with Los Angeles seemed like a surprise. Smith signed a one-year deal with the Clippers for the league minimum, but never meshed with coach Doc Rivers. To go along with that, the Clippers stumbled out of the gate this season, and struggled to stay above the. Houston sends the Clippers the rights to Maarty Leunen.

The Rockets rejuvenated Smith’s career last season after his contract was bought out by the Pistons.

But none have made a major impact, and Smith and Stephenson in particular stuck to the bench.

This year, including three DNP’s in his final five games with the Clippers, Smith averaged 5.7 points in 14.3 minutes a game.

Houston now sits very close to the hard cap, while Los Angeles saves about $2 million in luxury tax savings. He was traded there from Detroit early last season. Pinging is now not allowed.