Clippers have traded Josh Smith back to Rockets

The Los Angeles Clippers have made a trade, sending Josh Smith back to the Houston Rockets.

Goodbye, Smoove.

After weeks of Josh Smith appearing in numerous — and repetitive — trade rumors and not appearing on the court, having fallen out of the rotation as Cole Aldrich stepped into his role, the Los Angeles Clippers have finally traded the power forward, per Woj, sending him back to the Houston Rockets.

In return for Smith, cash ($460,000) and the draft rights to Sergei Lishouk, the Clippers will receive draft rights to Maarty Leunen. In doing so, the Clippers will save $2 million in luxury tax, per Woj.

Given the way things had played out up until this point, it was painfully obvious Smith’s time as a Clipper was coming to an end — Dan Woike of the OCR says the front office even contemplated just releasing the forward. But this isn’t on Smith. Coming into the season, it wasn’t expected for Smith to be the team’s savior, healing all that ailed the bench a year prior. Instead, he was meant to stabilize by use of the same versatility that helped out the Clippers in the playoffs a year ago.

That didn’t happen, and it didn’t happen because Doc Rivers the head coach never allowed it to happen, and for the second or third time, Rivers the coach had undermined the little good Rivers the general manager managed to stumble upon. The numbers weren’t pretty for Smith on offense (Not giving Smith a larger leash? Not pairing Smith with the right players (Jordan, Aldrich) or asking Smith to cover the constant defensive mistakes of Paul Pierce and Jamal Crawford?

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Critizicing Smith’s offense when Pierce and Crawford were culprits of committing the same, and just as bad given their supposed offensive ability? Failing to surround Smith with players (Prigioni, Aldrich) who could amplify what he can give a team in limited minutes? That’s on Rivers — and if you’re wondering, the same is happening with Lance Stephenson, but we’ll address that when he’s traded or released down the line.

All-in-all, what could occur is an up-close and personal viewing of how Smith can be used now that he returns to Houston. With Terrence Jones continuing to underwhelm as a NBA talent and Donatas Motiejunas still hampered with injury, Smith will see minutes at power forward, and as a leader could be key in helping the Rockets turn down what has been an underwhelming campaign so far.

For the Clippers, they’ve now an open roster spot. This could allow room for the Clippers’ front office to add an extra player back in a future trade, or if Doc and co. see someone available that they believe could help now, especially with Griffin still out with injury, and sign the body to a 10-day contract.

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With Smith gone, all eyes turn to Lance Stephenson who too has appeared in trade rumors, and could surely be the next “offseason prize” out the door.