The Houston Rockets have improved their position as frontrunner to sign Josh Smith.

Beyond Smith's close friend Dwight Howard, there's confidence among Rockets' players that they'll be able to sign him.

The Rockets tried to acquire Smith in the 2013 offseason, but were unable to put together a sign-and-trade deal with the Atlanta Hawks. Before ultimately signing a four-year $56 million deal with Detroit, Smith had long had interest in finding a way to join the Rockets, sources said.

Houston can use its biannual exception, worth $2.077 million annually, to sign Smith.

The Los Angeles Clippers, Sacramento Kings, Dallas Mavericks and Miami Heat also have interest in Smith.