Forward Josh Smith bolted the Houston Rockets to start winning with the Los Angeles Clippers where he signed a one-year deal worth a veteran's minimum of $1.5 million, according to ESPN.

The free-agent forward played 55 games for the Rockets last season, coming of the bench to score in  double digits in 35 of 48 games.

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The 29-year-old Smith was recruited to sign with Houston by childhood friend Dwight Howard after he was waived by the Detroit Pistons. 

With the Rockets down 3-1 in the series against the Clippers, Smith was inserted as a starter for Game 5 and helped them rally to win the series. 

In Games 6, when the Rockets found themselves down by 19 points in the second half, Smith and Corey Brewer combined for 29 fourth-quarter points to seal the win.

The Rockets encouraged Smith to shoot from 3-point area as it fits the structure of their offense and liked his ability to rebound and pass from the post.

Smith, 29, had previously indicated he wanted to return to the Rockets to play for coach Kevin McHale alongside Howard.

In an 11-year career playing for the Atlanta Hawks, Pistons and Rockets, he posted averages of 15.1 points, 7.7 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 2.0 blocks and 1.3 steals in 33.6 minutes per game.

He is also the youngest in NBA history to record 1,000 career blocks and is the 25th in NBA history and seventh among active players to post over 10,000 points, 5,000 rebounds, 2,000 assists and 1,000 blocked shots.

According to the Detroit Free Press, Smith was able to sign for the veteran minimum by the fact the Pistons still owed Smith $26 million.

The Pistons can pay Smith by stretching the $26 million t over the next five seasons, giving the latter $5.4 million per season until 2019-20.

If Smith pursued a higher deal, it could have helped offset more of the Pistons' cap hit.

Smith signed with the Pistons for four years at $54 million in 2013.

He didn't fit with the team, especially as he was made to play out of position at small forward. He also had the fans groaning every time he attempted from the three-point arc. 

Smith's stint with the Rockets rehabilitated his career from the damage caused by playing for the Pistons.  

TagsJosh Smith, Los Angeles Clippers, detroit pistons, NBA transactions