>>Clippers Sign F Josh Smith
The Los Angeles Clippers signed forward Josh Smith to a one-year deal on Thursday.
Smith averaged 12 points and six rebounds per game over 55 contests last season with the Houston Rockets after being picked up on waivers from the Detroit Pistons.
He played a crucial role in Houston's comeback from a 3-1 deficit in the Western Conference semifinals over the Clippers. Smith poured in 14 of his 19 points in the third quarter of Game 6, which LA led by as many as 19 before falling apart. Smith then netted 15 points in Game 7 to help Houston become the ninth NBA team to rally from a 3-1 gap.
The 29-year-old Smith has averaged 15.1 points and 7.7 rebounds per game over an 11-year career with the Atlanta Hawks, Pistons and Rockets.
>>Spurs Reward F Kawhi Leonard With Extension
The San Antonio Spurs announced a new deal for Kawhi Leonard on Thursday, weeks after reports said the reigning NBA Defensive Player of the Year had agreed to a max contract.
The Spurs did not release terms of the deal, but a max contract would pay the restricted free-agent forward around $90 million over five years.
Leonard, 24, battled injuries last season but averaged 16.5 points, 7.2 rebounds, 2.5 assists and an NBA-best 2.3 steals -- all career highs -- while continuing to maintain his reputation as a lock-down defender
The 2014 NBA Finals MVP has averaged 12.3 points, 6.1 rebounds and 2.5 assists over four seasons with the Spurs, who acquired him in a draft-day trade with Indiana in 2011.
