NBA Rumors: LA Clippers and Teams Targeting Sharpshooter JR Smith
J.R. Smith is easily the most coveted free agent set to become available during the season.
His name has been thrown around for months in rumors and fan discussions concerning where he will sign and how he could help a contender.
The former Denver Nugget will be eligible to return to the NBA on Wednesday, according to Ramona Shelburne of ESPN.
Let’s take a look at some potential landing places for the shooting guard.
The up-and-coming Clipshow were hoping to ink J.R. to a deal before they even lost Chauncey Billups for the year with a torn Achilles.
They are using Chris Paul to recruit the gunner and trying to get him to take less money in exchange for a more promising chance to win a title.
It’s a smart ploy and certainly one that seems true, which puts Smith in a tough position.
He has the next few days to figure out if he cares more about either winning or showcasing his talents on a mediocre team.
The Knicks are regarded as the favorite to land Smith because of the room exception they have available.
New York can offer him $2.5 million that is prorated from February 10, while the Clippers, Lakers and other serious suitors can only offer a prorated veteran’s minimum salary from the beginning of the season.
Smith’s agent, Leon Rose, also reps Carmelo Anthony and the two men played together for a long time in Denver.
Unfortunately, the Big Apple isn’t the best place for J.R. to end up.
The Knickerbockers need ball movers and unselfish players, something the SG is not. He has career averages of just 2.2 assists per game and shoots up over 10 shots per contest.
It certainly would not be a good move for the Knicks, who have just found success by sharing the rock and having Jeremy Lin facilitate on offense.
The Lakers are a wild card team to land J.R.
They have interest but just a veteran’s minimum to offer and their best player, Kobe Bryant, already occupies the two-guard position.
Smith does thrive off the bench as an instant-offense type of player, which is why it’s foreseeable that the Lakers could make a strong push at him and try to pitch him on playing with Kobe, Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum.
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