Josh Smith’s short and stormy stay with the L.A. Clippers is over. Smith was traded back to the Houston Rockets on Friday for the draft rights to Maarty Leunen, a 6-foot-9 forward who currently plays for Scandone Avellino of the Italian Serie A.
The Rockets also received the draft rights to forward Sergei Lishouck and cash considerations. Lishouck currently plays for UCAM Murcia in Spain.
The Clippers acquired Smith — a forward who also played center for the team — during the off-season, signing him to the veterans minimum of $1,499,187. But Smith fell into disfavor when he didn’t play the way coach Doc Rivers wanted him to play.