Josh Smith tortured the Clippers in the second half of Game 6 of the second round last season, helping lead Houston to a 19-point comeback that helped end their season.
Thursday, he signed on to make sure something like that wouldn't happen again.
The Clippers agreed to a contract with Smith, a versatile 6-foot-9 forward, worth one year at the league minimum.
Smith, 29, will join a bench with new acquisitions Lance Stephenson, Wesley Johnson, Cole Aldrich and rookie Branden Dawson.
After being bought out of his contract with Detorit last season, Smith signed with the Rockets - spurning an offer from the Clippers - and averaged 12 points and 6 rebounds, largely off the Houston bench.