Houston Rockets Sign Joshua Smith to Training Camp Contract

Before you scratch your head in confusion about the Houston Rockets announcement they’ve signed Joshua Smith to a training camp contract this is not the Josh Smith who played with the team last season. Though I’m sure many Clutch City fans would welcome another J. Smith to the staff especially if he has the potential to spearhead a comeback like Josh Smith did last season during the playoffs.

#Rockets Joshua Smith has agreed to a training camp deal with the Rockets. http://t.co/ojOABVyels

— NBA Daily Lineups (@DailyNBALineups) September 17, 2015

With *Joshua* Smith signing, Rockets now have 19 guys for training camp (including Harrell). Only one spot left, if they choose to use it.

— David Weiner (@BimaThug) September 17, 2015

This Joshua Smith is a center who split his college career playing 3 seasons as a UCLA Bruin and 2 seasons at Georgetown.His first 2 seasons at UCLA he got plenty of playing time averaging 32.5 minutes but his third season he only played 6 minutes a game.

Mar 12, 2015; New York, NY, USA; Creighton guard Devin Brooks (5) reacts after running into Georgetown center Joshua Smith (24) during second half of quarterfinal game at Madison Square Garden. Georgetown won 60-55.

Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports

Smith also averaged 9.9 points and 5.5 rebounds while playing with the Bruins. In his 2 seasons at Georgetown he played around 20 minutes per game with 11 points and 5.1 rebounds. Smith dominated under the boards with soft hands as the YouTube video showcases, but would he have the same results versus NBA bigs?

The contract is said to be a non-guaranteed training camp offer which simply means the Rockets will bring in the center to get a better look at him and decide if he’ll fill the final open roster spot.

The Rockets have another 3 players currently under the same type of contract and will likely look to sign one of the training camp non-guaranteed contract players to fill a need up front with the final roster opening.

With big man Donatas Motiejunas reportedly still rehabbing and likely not ready to play at season start this has put emphasis on adding an additional big to the roster. Joshua Smith spent the majority of his summer with the Miami Heat in their Summer League.

Smith weighs in at a healthy 360 pounds and measures 6’10”.

#Rockets agree to training camp deal with Joshua Smith, per @IraHeatBeat: http://t.co/TzXfd7rAMP pic.twitter.com/4h1CXwvAkZ

— Hoops Rumors (@HoopsRumors) September 17, 2015

The signing of Joshua Smith was initially reported by Ira Winderman of the Sun Sentinel who had seen plenty of the center in his time playing for the Heat at the Orlando Summer League and while the Heat were said to be interested in the center the Rockets have beat them to the punch via this training camp signing.

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