The Los Angeles Clippers were looking to get something going for the current National Basketball Association (NBA) season and key acquisitions were pretty much important.
Josh Smith was among them, someone who agreed to a small salary with the chance to possibly vie for an NBA title. Sadly, such never happened and Smith struggled.
In fact, Smith was far from the same player who played a pivotal role in last year's NBA playoffs where he was a key contributor to the Houston Rockets. Apparently, Doc Rivers was hoping he could do the same and perhaps even more.
It didn't really work out, so Smith ended up being traded back to his last team.
Smith was sent back in exchange for a couple of 30-year-old players Maarty Leunen and Serhiy Lischuk. Aside from that, the Clippers sent cash to cover the balance of Smith's salary.
As it turns out, Smith may have been better off not leaving the Rockets in the offseason. The move of Smith after all his contributions actually caught everyone by surprise. Aside from that, he was paired with his buddy Dwight Howard as well which really spurred up some questions on why the decision to go to Los Angeles happened.
Regardless, he is back to the team where he was last remembered to play an important role. But his return will need another round of adjustment, not to mention blending in since the team is under the mentorship of a new coach, J.B. Bickerstaff.
When Smith shone, it was Kevin McHale calling the shots. McHale has since been dismissed so there could be adjustments in store.
Either way, Smith's coming includes hope that the Rockets can start turning things around. Like the Clippers, the Rockets haven't exactly panned out a good season despite being pre-tournament favorites.
Will his return have an impact? The Rockets did win against the Milwaukee Bucks (102–98) when Smith arrived but he was hardly a factor contributing, just two points. The story could be better after a couple of more games.
