Rockets guard Ish Smith will be assigned to the D-League's Rio Grande Valley Vipers on Monday.

Smith has given Houston some needed depth while Kyle Lowry and Aaron Brooks dealt with injuries, but with those two both healthy his services aren't currently needed.

The Rockets confirmed that they will guarantee Ish Smith's contract for the rest of the season.

Smith flashed real upside while getting three starts earlier this year. It's enough for the Rockets to keep the undrafted free agent around as a project. He'll earn $473,604 this season.

Ish Smith started Friday, but had no points, one assist and one steal in just 13 minutes in a win over the Pacers.

Ouch. Kyle Lowry started the second half and looked great, and we recommend dumping Smith for Lowry. It was a bit up in the air when Aaron Brooks went down, but Lowry truly looked healthy tonight, meaning he is likely to take over after tonight's performance.

Ishmael Smith started in place of injured Aaron Brooks and had 12 points, five rebounds, three assists, two steals and two 3-pointers on 5-of-9 shooting in 26 minutes of Wednesday's loss to the Wizards.

He looked pretty good tonight and Kyle Lowry (back) is still not ready for heavy minutes. It would not be surprising to see Smith hold the starting job for several weeks, if not the entire time Brooks is out, but it's hard to say if he or Lowry will hold more value when all is said and done. Lowry hit just 2-of-11 shots for four points and four assists in 21 minutes.

Undrafted rookie Ish Smith started and played 41 minutes on Sunday, scoring seven points with six assists, four rebounds, three steals and just one turnover. He shot 3-of-11 from the field.

Smith was forced into heavy action as Aaron Brooks (sprained ankle) and Kyle Lowry (back) were sidelined for this one. With Brooks out four to six weeks, Lowry becomes a must-add in all formats, although Smith is going to get some run too. Lowry is targeting Wednesday as his return date, but if he can't go, then Smith is worth a spot start.

With Aaron Brooks (sprained ankle) and Kyle Lowry (back) both out for Sunday's game against the Timberwolves, undrafted rookie Ish Smith could receive the start at point guard.

Smith contributed 11 points, seven assists and four rebounds in 34 minutes on Saturday after Brooks left the game with the injury. He could make for a sneaky pickup in deeper formats.

Ishmael Smith scored 11 points on 4-of-16 shooting (including a three) with four rebounds, seven assists, and a steal in 34 minutes as Aaron Brooks left the game with an ankle injury on Saturday.

Brooks' X-rays were negative with the severity of the injury being unknown, and backup PG Kyle Lowry (back) didn't make the trip to San Antonio, leaving Smith to take the reigns. By all accounts he played well despite the shooting line, and with Kevin Martin (ankle) also out the Rockets lived and died with Ish late, who was aggressive but couldn't get shots to fall. He's not a must-add unless we hear that Brooks is missing significant time.

Ishmael Smith looks 'outstanding' in his assumption of PG duties for injured Aaron Brooks (ankle), according to beat writer Jonathan Feigen.

He has nine points and five assists with seven minutes remaining in the fourth. With Kyle Lowry (back) not traveling with the team right now, and Brooks getting carted around in a wheelchair getting X-rays, Smith looks like he will get the first chance to run with the PG job in the event Brooks misses significant time. Lowry, when healthy, would be the clear beneficiary, but if Smith plays like this he may hold the job with Lowry easing back into his combo guard backup role. Smith is worth adding if you have somebody marginal you can drop, and Lowry could become the man of the hour real quick if his injury outlook improves.