According to reports the Houston Rockets have won the chase to sign free agent Josh Smith who was released by the Pistons earlier this week. It appears for Smith the chance to play for a title existed with James Harden and Dwight Howard more than anywhere else.

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Via ESPN

As ESPN.com’s Marc Stein reported late Tuesday, Houston ‎assured Smith that he would start if he joined the Rockets, which essentially clinched his decision.

The Rockets also had their biannual exception, valued at $2.1 million, to offer Smith, who is 29.

Sources said Wednesday that Smith made it known that he would only consider teams that would guarantee him a starting spot, which essentially made it a choice between Houston and Miami.

Houston center Dwight Howard also could have played a factor in Smith’s decision. Howard, one of Smith’s closest friends, played AAU basketball with Smith in Atlanta.