The Detroit Pistons made the most shocking move of the season thus far when they released Josh Smith, eating the two years and $26 million he had left on his salary, and admitted failure on their biggest free agent signing of last season.
Smith was having a bad season-he was averaging 13.1 points, his lowest mark since the 2005-06 season, and shooting a career-low 39 percent from the field. Even worse, his presence and the money committed to him was threatening Detroit's ability to re-sign a younger big man, Greg Monroe, who last season nearly averaged a double-double.
His reputation has taken a hit, but previous All-Star campaigns haven't been forgotten by Houston Rockets center Dwight Howard, who would be thrilled to have J-Smoove in H-Town.
According to Jenny Dial Creech of The Houston Chronicle, Howard is reportedly recruiting Smith.
Dwight Howard said he has been in Josh Smith's ear a little bit already. Said he would love to see his old friend in Houston.
— Jenny Dial Creech (@jennydialcreech) December 23, 2014
The Rockets are rumored to be in the mix for just about any big-name player that hits the market, and Terrence Jones, who started the season at the four-spot, has been sidelined by injury since early November.
Bringing in Smith could cause upheaval, however, on a team that has gone 20-7 without him. Donatas Motiejunas has filled in capably at power forward, putting up 10.6 points and 6.1 rebounds a night while shooting nearly 50 percent from the field.
Smith would also relegate Jones to the bench upon his return. Before going down with the injury, Jones was averaging a healthy 14 points and 7.5 rebounds and shooting a healthy 42 percent from beyond the arc.
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