Bulls trade Greg Smith to Mavericks
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In a continued effort to clear cap space to help reshape their roster, the Chicago Bulls have traded center Greg Smith to the Dallas Mavericks, according to a release from the team.
The Bulls will receive the rights to Tadija Dragicevic in return, though the 2008 second-round pick is merely included as a necessary formality. The key for Chicago is clearing Smith's $948,163 salary off of their books, opening up about $400,000 in cap space (after the resultant minimum-roster cap hold is applied).
The Mavericks get a usable piece here, however. Somewhat undersized as a center, Smith has carved out a niche as a decent defender and a capable rebounder when he can stay on the floor. He appeared in 89 games for the Houston Rockets over the past three seasons, averaging 5.3 points and 4.1 rebounds in just 14.4 minutes while shooting 62.3 percent from the floor.
Due to injury, Smith was waived by the Rockets in April and subsequently signed by the Bulls, though he never appeared in a game for them.