NBA Rumors: Adding J.R. Smith Would Put Clippers Closer to Being Playoff Threats

The Los Angeles Clippers are on the right track to becoming an NBA team feared by all, but they still need to work on being a complete team. The best way to do that is by adding stronger talent. 

Kenyon Martin is expected to join the Clippers on Monday, and according to Broderick Turner of the Los Angeles Times, the Clippers are looking to sign J.R. Smith once he is eligible to return to the NBA. 

Smith is playing basketball in China at the moment, but should his team miss the playoffs, it's possible the small forward will be back in the league by Feb. 25. 

The Clippers have to continue to boost the roster in order to be a serious threat in the postseason, and bringing in Smith will do that. Right now, Los Angeles isn't getting great production from its bench, so the addition of Smith would be welcome. 

Since trading for Chris Paul, the Clippers have been on the rise around the league, as they're currently in second place in the Western Conference. The elites out West are off to a slow start, but come playoff time, the true best of the best will rise up. 

This means that the Clippers have to become a better all-around team, and if they're able to get Smith, it will put them into further discussion about making a deep run the playoffs. 

Stellar performance from those who don't start is often the key to success late in the season and the playoffs. After all, the team with the best roster top to bottom has a far greater chance of winning it all. 

It may take some time for Smith to get acquainted and gain team chemistry, but there's no denying he'd be a huge upgrade to the Clippers' depth. 

Last season, Smith played for the Denver Nuggets, averaging 25 minutes and 12.3 points per game. His playing time would decrease on the Clippers, but he can still perform at a high level and make the most of his opportunities on the court. 

That's all the Clippers will ask of him, because that is what they desperately need. Los Angeles is in dire need of someone to come off the bench and provide a nice spark, put points on the board and give the starters some quality rest.

Smith can definitely do that. Plus, if he and Martin are consistently on the floor at the same time, it will work better for them because they're comfortable with one another. 

It's uncertain if Smith will actually choose to play for the Clippers, but I see no reason why he wouldn't, especially since Martin just signed with them. 

The Clippers are turning heads and becoming a team to watch out for. However, once the postseason arrives, the deep experience other Western Conference teams have will give those teams an advantage. 

All that means is that the Clippers need to ensure their roster is solid across the board, and adding Smith definitely puts them closer to that.