The Houston Rockets have now shifted their focus to their 'Plan B' after missing out on a couple of elite free-agents this offseason, a reliable league source reported on Friday.
After their failed attempt to woo Carmelo Anthony and Chris Bosh, the Rockets are reportedly in position to work on a trade that would help them land veteran small forward/ power forward Josh Smith of the Detroit Pistons.
NBA analysts Jabari Davis brought up this idea in his latest article on Basketball Insiders, tackling the importance of an improved defense next season and Smith's huge impact on the defensive end of the floor.
"From the Rockets' side of things, I completely agree about defense being a major issue last season. Part of that was due to undisciplined play and inconsistent efforts at key defensive positions (SG/SF & PG when Beverly wasn't available or on the court), but another aspect of it is the wide-open style and fast pace they ran at times."
The Rockets offensive system primarily featured three-point shooting and pick-and-roll plays. According to Davis, the Rockets' tendency to jack up long jumpers often led to long rebounds, making them susceptible to quick outlet passes (9th worst in preventing opponents' fast-break points last season).
Davis stressed that Smith, though has a history of taking questionable jumpers, could help fortify the Rockets defense and prevent opposing teams from scoring off a fast-break. Then again, with Jeremy Lin and Omer Asik now off the books, it would be hard for the Rockets to trade for borderline All-Star.
"I do think targeting Smith could be an option (as Detroit has made it pretty clear they'd be interested in moving him), but he's probably is somewhere a few spots down the priority list," Davis stated in his article.
In his first season with the Pistons, Smith averaged 16.4 points, 6.8 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 1.4 blocks and 1.4 steals per game. He shot 41.9% from the field and a miserable 26.4% from three-point line and 53.2% from the free-throw line.
Since last season, the Pistons have attempted to trade Smith somewhere else, but no team has been willing to accept the small forward's mammoth contract that pays him $13.5 million for the next three seasons.
But with the Rockets angling to get that third star, the Pistons might have a rare opportunity to dispose Smith's contract and get solid compensations in return. The Rockets still have Terrence Jones, Clint Capela and perhaps another first rounder to get the job done.
However, Rockets' GM Daryl Morey is aware that the ball now is not in their court. It's all up to the Pistons to decide, if they are going to be a buyer or a seller to a desperate Rockets team.
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