NBA Free Agency 2011: The Top 10 Destinations for Denver Nuggets' J.R. Smith
One of the most discussed players leading into the 2011 NBA Offseason, J.R. Smith would fit well with a number of different teams, including the Denver Nuggets.
I've already discussed J.R. Smith's explosive capabilities in-depth, as well as the question marks which inversely cloud his prospects of staying in Denver.
While the jury is still out as to whether Smith is ready to be a full-time starter or should remain a super-sub sixth man, it's been interesting to notice fans' reaction on the subject.
Most people, including Nuggets' faithful, seem convinced that J.R. indeed could be a consistent 20+ point per game scorer if finally given at least 30 minutes per game. A majority also seemed certain that the only thing holding him from this future is George Karl's preference for Arron Affalo and his occasional disdain for J.R. Smith's shot selection and immature past.
I'd counter that Smith has been especially effective as spark plug with Denver's 2nd unit, but it certainly does seem that he's ready for a larger role. Equally certain is the uncertainty that this will be possible within the Nuggets' crowded backcourt.
There are a lot of teams out there that need a rangeless gunner who can also create his own shot and finish in transition. All options on this list will have the minutes, most will have the money and enough will even have a starting spot to offer.
These options have been ranked from least to most likely. Either way, these might be the kind of deals that J.R. Smith can't refuse and the Nuggets are unwilling to match...
San Antonio Spurs
1 of 10
As discussed here, the San Antonio Spurs absolutely need to get more athletic and explosive. They need another player or two who can create their own shots, and if they're going to keep this quicker tempo, then they won't find a more intriguing wild-card than J.R. Smith.
J.R. Smith could be a starter alongside Tony Parker, a replacement for Richard Jefferson or the 6th man if Manu Ginobili's with the first unit.
San Antonio will have the cap space to make this happen.
However, this is the least likely of all scenarios on the list. Smith's track record is certainly at odds with San Antonio's expectations, and one has to wonder how long J.R. and Greg Popovich could coexist.
Still, if Stephen Jackson could win a championship in San Antonio, why not J.R. Smith?
Atlanta Hawks
2 of 10
This scenario only works if Jamal Crawford moves on for bigger paychecks elsewhere.
It's unlikely that Atlanta will pay Crawford $10 million per year again. However, they'd certainly be interested in paying a younger replacement, like J.R. Smith, in the $8 million per year range.
That would represent a tangible raise for Smith, along with a chance to play major minutes for another Playoff contender, albeit from the bench again.
While J.R. Smith can't run the point as Crawford occasionally does, this might open things up for Jeff Teague to take over the backup spot in Atlanta. Smith's ability to spell either wing spot and provide a bench spark would help the Hawks soar next year without interruption.
Indiana Pacers
3 of 10
The Indiana Pacers have been importing shooting guards like crazy the past few years.
Lance Stephenson, Paul George and Brandon Rush were all recently drafted, while Dahntay Jones was brought in from the Denver Nuggets.
Paul George seems to be soup du'jour at the moment, but Indiana needs to figure this spot out in their starting lineup more than any other.
A sign-and-trade involving Stephenson and Rush to Denver could bring in J.R. Smith's explosiveness, while potentially keeping George. The Nuggets would shave a few million off their luxury tax bill, while also gaining a couple of prospects to develop at the bottom of their bench.
Smith's length would pair especially well with Darren Collison's lack thereof. While neither are great defenders, Danny Granger and Dahntay Jones would help to cover their shortcomings.
Dallas Mavericks
4 of 10
Jason Terry is a fantastic 6th man and an ignition key to the Dallas home crowd.
At the same time, his lack of wingspan will become a bigger issue as his quickness declines due to age. Terry's ability to handle the point for short stretches is also not as big of a deal with J.J. Barea and Roddy Beaubois around.
It's unlikely that Dallas would ship Terry out, but J.R. Smith would be a more than credible replacement. His youth and finishing ability would be intriguing possibilities.
Should the Mavericks strike out on Caron Butler, they might want to consider signing a cheaper option like J.R. Smith as the starting small forward, especially if paired with a defender like Corey Brewer or DeShawn Stevenson at the other wing spot.
Chicago Bulls
5 of 10
The Chicago Bulls tried all this past year to get a true starter at shooting guard.
I'm not knocking Ronnie Brewer, Keith Bogans or Kyle Korver. They're all good at what they do, but each player's one dimension is better suited off the bench.
It might be difficult to sign Smith outright under the cap, though the Bulls do have a few million dollars opening up. However, moving Korver or Brewer, along with Bogans would free up enough money to bring in J.R. Smith.
I'm not sure whether Denver would be interested in such a sign-and-trade, but it would make more sense to move Korver and Bogans, thereby keeping Ronnie Brewer as a good defensive counterweight to J.R. Smith's move to the starting lineup.
Having great defenders like Derrick Rose, Luol Deng and Joakim Noah around Smith would be a fantastic defensive fit, while J.R.'s ability to stretch the floor and finish would add another spark to the Bulls' offense.
Cleveland Cavaliers
6 of 10
The Cleveland Cavaliers badly need scoring and star power, though, barring buyouts of Baron Davis and Antawn Jamison, they actually have less cap space than you'd think.
There's no way Anthony Parker is re-signing with the Cavs, and J.R. Smith would fit in nicely with their rebuilding plans around Anderson Varejao and J.J. Hickson.
At the same time, this may not be as great a fit if the Cavaliers draft a high profile shooting guard to be the new face of their franchise.
I'd rather go with a proven commodity like Smith, though questions might linger as to his focus on a bad team and whether reuniting him with Byron Scott would be such good idea.
Utah Jazz
7 of 10
It doesn't seem as if the Utah Jazz are keen on re-signing C.J. Miles this offseason. That's especially odd considering just how pitiful their wing production was on the offensive end this year.
While Gordan Hayward and Jeremy Evans may have legitimate futures in Salt Lake City, one has to wonder how long it will be before either could actually start alongside Devin Harris.
For all Utah's front line depth, they've been lacking explosiveness and shot creating abilities for a long time. Even when Deron Williams was aboard, he was the only Jazz player able to improvise.
This would never have been a fit with Jerry Sloan around, but Utah might be ready to move away from such a restrictive system. J.R. Smith would add a high-flying facet that's been missing for a long time.
Denver Nuggets
8 of 10
The Denver Nuggets have to be included on this list.
Even though the minutes might not be there, it's still a pretty good chance that J.R. Smith could receive a reasonable raise if he's interested in staying.
The crowd loves him, this is the franchise that took a chance on him after being run out of New Orleans and this new group's prospects are truly mile high.
It's just a great fit for both parties. As previously discussed here, Smith is the only Nuggets player truly capable of taking over a game. They have so many great parts to the engine, but J.R. Smith is definitely the nitrous.
Charlotte Bobcats
9 of 10
The Charlotte Bobcats need backcourt help as much as anyone in the league.
Stephen Jackson might be listed as a shooting guard, but he's losing his quickness and may not even be in Charlotte's long-term plans.
Whether Jackson stays or not, the Bobcats need shot takers and makers. They are one of the most under-talented teams around, but adding J.R. Smith would give D.J. Augustin an interesting mix with Jackson, Tyrus Thomas and Boris Diaw as the core.
This of course would require Michael Jordan's team to actually spend some money, rather than selling all of their assets down the river for mythological picks and cap space.
They have the cash now. It's time to use it.
Minnesota Timberwolves
10 of 10
The Minnesota Timberwolves need a shooter just as badly as Charlotte does. They both have some cap space to burn, but the T-Pups get the nod over the 'Cats because of a brighter future.
True, adding J.R. Smith to Michael Beasley, Kevin Love, Ricky Rubio and/or Kyrie Irving (potentially) would make the Wolves one of the more questionable defensive teams around, but they'd certainly have no trouble scoring plenty of baskets.
With a rebounding specialist like Love , one of the league's better shot-blockers in Darko Milcic (yes, he is at least good at doing that) and a credible stopper like Wesley Johnson, Minnesota would actually be more balanced than people think.
If the Wolves fail to acquire the No. 1 pick, they're more likely to draft a shooting guard anyways. However, with Martell Webster and Wesley Johnson being more natural small forwards, and with Wayne Ellington clearly a fringe player at best, the Wolves need all of the long distance shooting and athleticism help they can get.
