LOS ANGELES, CA – DECEMBER 16: Michael Carter-Williams #5 of the Milwaukee Bucks passes around Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks during a 103-90 Clipper win at Staples Center on December 16, 2015 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and condition of the Getty Images License Agreement. Harry How/Getty Images/AFP
HOUSTON — Josh Smith is headed back to Houston after the Los Angeles Clippers traded him to the Rockets on Friday.
Smith finished last season with the Rockets before signing with the Clippers in the offseason. Houston also received the draft rights to forward/center Sergei Lishouk and cash considerations in the deal that gave Los Angeles draft rights to forward Maarty Leunen.
Clippers coach and president of basketball operations Doc Rivers said Smith was a good teammate, but that the team wanted to go in another direction.
Smith signed with Houston in December 2014 after being released by Detroit.
He played in 32 games for the Clippers this season, averaging 5.7 points and 3.7 rebounds. He had fallen behind backup center Cole Aldrich in the rotation.