Report: Josh Smith on Clippers' radar
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While the Western Conference gets stronger and stronger by the nanosecond, the Los Angeles Clippers are left scrambling for additional frontcourt help.
Enter Josh Smith, reports Ramona Shelburne of ESPN.
Hearing that another target for the luxury-tax strapped Clippers is Josh Smith.
— Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) July 6, 2015
The man affectionately referred to as J-Smoove is an unrestricted free agent after finishing the 2014-15 season with the Houston Rockets.
Smith started last season as a member of the Detroit Pistons - a marriage that did not end well, with the Pistons essentially paying the then-maligned forward to take his on-court inefficiency elsewhere. After landing on the Rockets' roster in December, he quickly found a niche on a team that longed for additional grit and defensive prowess.
In 55 regular-season games with the Rockets, Smith averaged 12 points, six rebounds, and 1.2 blocks per game. Throughout his team's 17-game run in the playoffs, he increased his scoring contributions to 13.5 points while maintaining solid production in the paint, with 5.6 rebounds and one block per game.
As the Rockets faced off against the Dallas Mavericks in the first round of the playoffs, general manager Daryl Morey said he wanted to bring Smith back next season.
Now, the Clippers seem to be a threat to the Rockets' plan of steering Smith back to Texas. The team has a desperate need for a dynamic big man, exacerbated by the recent departure of All-Defensive First-Teamer DeAndre Jordan.
Although Smith isn't quite the same rim protector as Jordan, he's certainly no slouch in that department.