July 16--Free-agent forward Josh Smith agreed Thursday to a one-year deal for the veteran minimum with the Clippers, said an NBA official who was not authorized to speak publicly on the matter.
Smith will earn $1.5 million from the Clippers this season, the official said. But he's due to earn $5.4 million a year over the next five years from the Detroit Pistons via the NBA's "stretch provision."
Smith, who was offered more money by several teams, was sold on his role with the Clippers by Coach Doc Rivers, the official said.
Smith averaged 12 points and six rebounds in 55 games last season with the Houston Rockets after he was picked up on waivers from Detroit.
He played a key role in the Rockets coming back from a 3-1 series deficit against the Clippers in the Western Conference semifinals.
Smith scored 14 of his 19 points in the third quarter of Game 6, a quarter in which the Clippers led by as many as 19 points before they collapsed.
Smith scored 15 points in Game 7, helping the Rockets become just the ninth team in NBA history to overcome a 3-1 deficit and win a series.
