The Los Angeles Clippers made another notable snag in free agency this summer as they signed versatile power forward Josh Smith to a one-year, $1.5 million veteran's minimum, ESPN reported.

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The 6-foot-9 Smith added much depth to the Houston Rockets' bench last season, averaging 12 points and six rebounds in just 25 and a half minutes per contest. He also helped the Rockets go deep into the playoffs, contributing 13.5 ppg and 5.6 rpg in 17 postseason games, starting eight.

Playing most of his career as the main man of a franchise, Smith found his long desired playoff success as a substitute. He actually helped Houston come back from a 1-3 deficit in the Western Conference semifinals against L.A. when coach Kevin McHale made him a starter since Game 5 of the series. The Rockets won three straight with him up front alongside childhood buddy Dwight Howard to eliminate the Clippers.

The 11-year veteran is expected to provide much-needed rest to superstar power forward Blake Griffin and is considered by many analysts as the perfect backup to the high-flying All-Star.

Meanwhile, Bleacher Report noted that Smith may not be the perfect fit that Doc Rivers is looking for as the former Oak Hill high standout is not an outside shooter who can help stretch the floor. But he is more likely to duplicate what Griffin had been doing for them, finish strong to the basket, pass from the post, and defend the opponent's best inside players, which are certainly valuable contributions.

Smith chose the Clippers over the Sacramento Kings, who had "very strong" interest to sign him, as per NBC Sports' Pro Basketball Talk.

After selecting seven-foot Kentucky big man Willie Cauley-Stein in the draft, the Kings then acquired champion point guard Rajon Rondo and another seven-footer, Kosta Koufos, during free agency. But it seems like George Karl has not found his ideal roster combination so far and needed someone like Smith to complete his running lineup.

Now that the Georgia native had finally decided, Karl can go looking for his backup big somewhere else.

Los Angeles' bench had been deemed as their recurring problem for many years. The acquisition of Smith, together with other bench players such as Lance Stephenson and Wesley Johnson, would definitely erase this issue next season.

TagsNBA 2015, NBA news, NBA News 2015, NBA rumors, NBA Rumors 2015, NBA Trade Rumors, NBA trade rumors 2015, Josh Smith, Los Angeles Clippers