Clippers, forward Josh Smith have come to terms on 1-year contract

Josh Smith

Josh Smith/Photo courtesy of Houston Rockets

 

The Los Angeles Clippers had to have hated what Josh Smith did to them in Game 6 of the Western Conference semifinals. He scored 14 of his 19 points in the fourth quarter to help the Houston Rockets overcome what had been a 19-point late-third-quarter deficit to shock the Clippers 119-107 at Staples Center. The Rockets ended up winning the series 4-3 with a Game 7 win at Houston.

But the Clippers were so impressed with Smith’s performance that Thursday they had agreed to bring him on board. A league source told this newspaper the accord was on the verge of being signed, and would be by the end of Thursday.

The deal is for one year for the veterans’ minimum, which in Smith’s case is just about $1.5 million.

Smith, a 6-foot-9 forward, played 55 games for Houston after being waived by Detroit in December. He averaged 12 points and six rebounds for the Rockets after averaging 13.1 points and 7.2 rebounds in 28 games for the Pistons.

Smith, 29, started eight of Houston’s 17 playoff games and averaged 13.5 points and 5.6 rebounds. He made 38 percent (27 of 71) of his shots from 3-point range.

Smith has 11 years in the league with career scoring and rebounding averages of 15.1 and 7.7, respectively. His best season was in 2011-12 with Atlanta, when he averaged 18.8 points and 9.6 rebounds.

The Clippers this off-season have now re-signed center DeAndre Jordan and guard Austin Rivers, signed free agents Smith, small forwards Paul Pierce and Wesley Johnson and center Cole Aldrich; and traded for wing Lance Stephenson.