NBA Trade Rumors: Houston reportedly still in the mix for Josh Smith

Ken Berger is reporting that the Houston Rockets are involved in "high level" talks with the Atlanta Hawks regarding forward Josh Smith. The Rockets completed a six-player trade on Wednesday obtaining Thomas Robinson from the Sacramento Kings.

The Rockets, flush with assets, are involved at "high level" in Josh Smith talks, league source says.

— Ken Berger (@KBergCBS) February 21, 2013

Adrian Wojnarowski reported earlier this morning that Danny Ferry's desire for Omer Asik and Chandler Parsons was a non-starter for the Rockets. Woj also reported that the Hawks would prefer to send Smith to the Western Conference in a deal. The important thing to note is that Houston has the cap space available to sign Smith this summer to a max four-year deal so Atlanta doesn't have a ton of leverage in negotiations.

However, if Ferry could obtain young players on rookie scale contracts that are high upside would he pull the trigger on a trade? The sticking point for other deals has been on the insistance of other teams for the Hawks to take back salary for next season which would limit Atlanta's options this summer.