Rockets to send Ish Smith to Valley Vipers

Ish Smith has played a valuable role with the Houston Rockets this season as both Aaron Brooks and Kyle Lowry have missed games due to injury. But now that both are healthy, Smith is a bit of a luxury as the Rockets can also play Courtney Lee and Terrence Williams at the point guard position.
Because of this, Smith will be assigned to the Rockets' NBA D-League affiliate Rio Grande Valley Vipers on Monday according to David Hinojosa of The Monitor on Twitter. The Vipers apparently have rescheduled practice from 10 a.m. to noon to accommodate for Smith's arrival to McAllen, Texas.
Smith, a 6-foot rookie out of Wake Forest, is averaging just 3.1 points and 2.4 assists in 24 games for the Rockets this season. In three games as a starter, though, Smith is averaging an all-around 6.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 2.0 steals.