I have heard a lot of people lobbying for Josh Smith. Not just this season but it has always seemed to come up the last 2-3 seasons at least once. I for one enjoy watching him play, he is a highlight machine. I have never been afraid to admit this, but I have never wanted him to be a Rocket. In my opinion he is not a star, he is not consistent, and he take a ton of poor shots.

That said, if we could get him for the right price I am starting to come around. Not because Smith has changed but because the power forward role on the team has. We now have a legit center and possibly another awaiting in the wings in Smith. We don't need Smith to pull down 12 rebounds or constantly patrol the paint that is Omer's job. We could be content asking 8 boards a night and some decent help defense.

As Patterson and Morris have shown the 4 will get a solid 3-5 open 3's a night on the team which is within Smith's wheel house. He is also more than the perfect 4 for this teams transition game. He has shown the ability to steal the ball and even run the fastbreak occasionally, he has the endurance and youth to play bigger minutes than any other 4-5 we could get or currently have on the roster, and he even has shown the ability to swat a shot and get back down the court to finish the break. Lastly it adds a legitimate second shot blocker that teams have to be aware of.

How much would we have to give up for Smith? I honestly don't know that is for Morey to decide. How much do we pay him after his contract expires? Not max, no way. But if he is not too expensive and realizes he is not a star by any means he could be the perfect finishing touch for a playoff run this year.

In closing, if we traded for Smith tomorrow would I be ecstatic? No, but I would hate it less than if we had last season.