Clippers Trade Josh Smith Back to The Houston Rockets

Clippers have traded Josh Smith back to Housto, sources tell Yahoo.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojVerticalNBA) January 22, 2016

Yahoo Sports Adrian Wojnarowski is reporting that the Los Angeles Clippers have given up on the Josh Smith experiment, trading him back to the Houston Rockets. Smith was an intergrial part of a Houston team that knocked the Clippers out of the playoffs last year, erasing a 1-3 series deficit. Smith was a big part of the game 6 comeback, scoring 19 points while making four 3-pointers.

In the off-season, Smith decided to sign with the Los Angeles Clippers instead of remaining with the Rockets. The Clippers were hoping for Smith to play a big roll with the team, but inconsistent play, bad shots, and the emergence of Cole Aldrich ended his tenure with the Clippers before it really ever began.

By trading Smith instead of simply releasing him, the Clippers will save $2 million in luxury tax. Here are the full details of the trade, per Wojnarowski:

Rowan Kavner, who covers the Clippers for Clippers.com, has confirmed the reports:

Confirming Woj report, LAC trading Smith/Sergei Lishouck draft rights/cash to HOU for draft rights to Maarty Leunen https://t.co/PAQPnqHHXl

— Rowan Kavner (@RowanKavner) January 22, 2016

Shams Charania is reporting that the Clippers will fill Smith's vacated spot with Jeff Ayers.

The Los Angeles Clippers will sign center Jeff Ayres to a 10-day contract, league sources tell Yahoo. Ayres played for Idaho in D-League.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) January 22, 2016

Ayres is a 6'9" PF/C who played with the San Antonio Spurs last season. He played in 51 games, and averaged 2.7 points and 2.8 rebounds, while shooting 56% from the field. Probably the biggest thing is that he attempted zero 3-pointers, something that Doc Rivers could not stop Smith from doing with the Clippers.