4 names to consider in the Rockets’ assistant GM search

Houston Rockets target #4: Kenny Smith

Kenny Smith is engulfed in Houston Rockets folklore, as he was a member of both of the Rockets’ title teams. Smith made plenty of big shots during the Rockets’ title runs and averaged 17.7 points during his first season in Houston, which was the highest scoring clip of his career.

Smith finished within the top eight of the league in 3-point percentage for three consecutive seasons in Houston, as he made 40 percent or better from deep from 1992-95. All in all, Smith spent 10 years in the NBA and has left his mark on the Rockets’ record books:

• 4th in 3-point percentage
• 6th in assists
• 8th in made threes

Smith joined TNT after his playing days were over and has become the voice of reason on the Inside the NBA crew more often than not, as he has essentially taken on the role of the show’s mediator. Smith has made no qualms about the fact that he intends to leave his TV gig for a front office role in the not too distant future.

“It’s inevitable from a basketball standpoint I will be moving on. The consumption and production of information that I’ve received, the way I’m able to relay it, and the relationships, it’s inevitable. It’s just inevitable…

You’re around things. You’re privy to information for 20 years from runners to agents to general managers and owners that no one else has been privy to. No one else. Every team in the league has told me something they’ve told no one else.”

Smith has been connected to several GM vacancies over the years and even interviewed for the Sacramento Kings GM position in 2013. In addition, Smith was mentioned as a potential GM target for the New York Knicks just last season, which shows the level of intrigue that exists with him as a GM.

The Rockets could provide a springboard for Smith to kick off his career as an NBA executive, and an assistant GM role would be the best way for him to get that started.

Next: No. 3