Rockets trade to bring Josh Smith back to Houston

Josh Smith is heading back to Houston, per a Woj-bomb dropped just earlier this morning.

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

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojVerticalNBA) January 22, 2016

In return, the Rockets will send the draft rights to power forward Maarty Leunen , who currently plays in Europe in the Italian league.

The Rockets are sending the draft rights to Maarty Leunen to the Clippers in the Josh Smith deal, league sources tell Yahoo Sports.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojVerticalNBA) January 22, 2016

The Rockets also sent the rights to center Serihy Lischuk, currently of the Spanish League.

Updating a report earlier that had this move affecting the Rockets' cap, the Clippers have actually agreed to pay the balance of Smith's salary.

Clippers are sending cash to Houston with Josh Smith, covering the balance of his salary. Houston only sending draft rights to Clippers.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojVerticalNBA) January 22, 2016

The move may also signal that either the team expects Donatas Motiejunas to be out for a while, or are planning on moving Terrence Jones. Possibly both. According to Jonathan Feigen:

Motiejunas probably more than than week from resuming basketball activities. Has been working out. Harrell banged up, but could go tonight.

— Jonathan Feigen (@Jonathan_Feigen) January 22, 2016

Motiejunas obviously very difficult to predict. All they can do is work on his strength and monitor symptoms to see how he progresses.

— Jonathan Feigen (@Jonathan_Feigen) January 22, 2016

For his part, Smith sounds happy to be back in Houston.

Josh Smith on returning to #Rockets: "I'm excited. I feel great. It's a place that I probably should have never left."

— Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) January 22, 2016

More to come on the story.