NBA: Josh Smith inks deal, reunites with Dwight Howard in Houston

The Houston Rockets officially signed unrestricted free agent forward Josh Smith on Friday (Saturday, PHL time).

Smith was waived by the Detroit Pistons on Monday, even though he still had two years and at least $26 million remaining on his contract after this season. He was less than halfway into his four-year, $54 million contract. Smith cleared waivers Wednesday.

The 6-foot-9, 225-pound Smith cited the chance to play with Rockets center Dwight Howard, his former AAU teammate in Atlanta, as a key reason for his decision to join Houston.

Smith averaged 13.1 points, 7.2 rebounds and 4.7 assists per game for Detroit this season before being released. - Reuters