Joshua

Smith

With Clint Capela the only other center on the roster, Smith does have an outside chance of making the Rockets’ opening-night roster. However, he’d be the team’s third-string center, and would have zero fantasy value as long as Dwight Howard is healthy.

The four players were let go by Houston toward the end of the preseason, but they’ll all be affiliate players in the D-League this year.

He lost a lot of weight to get into camp and he was better than expected. Smith will likely play in the D-League.

“He’s got good hands. He’s got good feet. He’s got to get in better shape, but he’s working at it,” McHale said. “Every time somebody is out, other people have a chance to play. Right now, Josh is getting a great opportunity to play a lot of minutes.” More significantly, McHale also hinted that Smith is a strong possibility for Houston’s final roster spot, a possible indication of concern over Dwight Howard (back), Donatas Motiejunas (back surgery) and Terrence Jones (concussion).