In new NBA trade news, free agent Josh Smith has been given up by the Detroit Pistons earlier this week, and on Friday, he signed on with the Houston Rockets.

On December 26^th, the basketball star made his debut with the Rockets against the Memphis Grizzlies. One day later, the headlines were bursting with the success of Josh Smith. The Houston Rockets player startled crowds with a total of 21 points, eight rebounds, and three assists in the 117-111 game against the Memphis Grizzlies.

Beyond that, Josh Smith's recent signing reunited the basketball player with his longtime friend, Dwight Howard. The two grew up in Atlanta and played on one of the best AAU teams in history. Houston will hopefully see the benefits of having such an alliance on their team. Josh Smith is said to be the perfect agent to boost a team that had no starting power since forward Terrence Jones has been having trouble with nerve inflammation in his left leg.

Josh joined the Rockets through their bi-annual exception which allows him to play at a starting salary of roughly $2 million per season. This is not a problem for the 29-year-old, who will be paid $27 million in combined salary that the Detroit Pistons still owe him.

Smith is reportedly a player the Rockets have been looking at for a while now. In 2013, they had a discussion with the Atlanta Hawks to bring him on the team. When Smith's performance declined over the last couple of years, and the Detroit Pistons unexpectedly dropped him as a player, the Rockets knew this was their chance to pick him up.