NBA Rumors: Why Orlando Magic Must Sign J.R. Smith

The J.R. Smith rumor of the day has now set its sights on Dwight Howard and the Orlando Magic.

Hoopsworld reports that the Magic have become the front-runner for the former Denver Nuggets sixth man. Orlando Magic GM Otis Smith is scouring the free-agent market looking to appease Dwight Howard. 

J.R. Smith is certainly the class of the available free agents and could be the offensive talent the Magic need to hang with the contenders in the Eastern Conference.

Here are the reasons why J.R. Smith would be smart to sign with Orlando.

Perfect Fit for Magic Offense

When the Orlando Magic made it to the NBA Finals in 2009, they relied on an inside–out attack that featured Dwight Howard and a cast of rangy shooters.

In 2012, they have the same scheme—with no results.

J.R. Smith would be a wise pickup because hit fits the mold of a rangy shooter that can spread the floor and give more space for Howard to work down low.

Once Smith delivers on a few kick-outs from Dwight, they’ll have to respect his jump shot, thereby opening up the offense.

Orlando’s heavy reliance on three-point shooting can keep them competitive against any foe. The Miami Heats and Chicago Bulls are certainly susceptible to three-point clinics; in fact, it may be their only kryptonite against a lesser foe.

With Howard in the middle, the Magic always have a fighter’s chance. J.R. Smith’s career 37 percent shooting from deep only increases their odds.

Better Guard Play

J.J. Redick. Jason Richardson. They are mere specialty players on offense compared to J.R. Smith.

Sure, Redick‘s career high is 29 points, a respectable number. But Smith is a different animal. He has nights when he scores 45 off the bench—not to mention a 52-point outburst this fall playing in China.

Richardson has lost some of the athleticism that helped him win Slam Dunk Contests earlier in his career. Ditto for Quentin Richardson, who’s into his 30s. Smith, at the ripe age of 28, still has the athleticism and the confidence to use it. 

With Jameer Nelson having the some of the worst numbers of his career, Smith will inject life into this guard rotation and give defenses a perimeter player to account for every night.

Primetime minutes in this Orlando rotation are there for the taking.

J.R. Smith’s  capacity to fill it up on any given night would thrust him into Orlando’s crunch-time lineup.

Getting a Potential Crunch-Time Scorer

When he was a Denver Nugget, there weren’t enough shots to go around for J.R. Smith to reach his potential.

Between Carmelo Anthony, Allen Iverson, Kenyon Martin and others that entered Denver during his time there, Smith was always the sixth man.

At times when his shot wasn’t falling, he would have to take a seat on the bench and put on a Denver t-shirt. However, that’s against a shooters code; they don’t ride pine when they’re cold, they keep shooting until they get hot.

Orlando would be the perfect spot for Smith to spread his wings and get that chance. He would be one of the primary scoring options in Orlando and he would be relied on heavily for production from the outside instead of being a complementary piece.

Maybe a little pressure in Orlando is exactly what Smith needs to have career numbers.

In Orlando, his back would be heavier than ever. Perhaps he will thrive under that pressure.

Keep Dwight Howard Happy

He wants you for the Orlando Magic, J.R. Smith.

What is the only way Dwight Howard could extend with his current team?

If you said, "have Superman Night at their next home game," been there, done that.

The only way is if No. 12 hoists that gold trophy in June.

J.R. Smith may be the piece needed to make a run.

This probably isn’t the big move Otis Smith had in mind. But if the ownership wants to keep Dwight and get one last crack at it, J.R. Smith is a quality player who can generate offense on a flawed offensive team. The pickup would be the closest to a quick fix as any.

Also, Smith’s gunner mentality on the court would be a injection of adrenaline into this Orlando Magic roster. While some teams would stay away to avoid disrupting team chemistry, the Magic’s locker room could not be more in flux. Howard’s trade demands and pouty expressions on the sidelines have changed the mood in Orlando.

Smith’s ability to go off at any point could inspire Howard to believe in this team again and bring belief to a team that desperately needs it.

It is a shot in the dark for Otis Smith. But it just might work.

Playoff Depth

In the NBA’s regular season, teams get away with sitting their best players for extended periods or resting them when they’re injured. 

The playoffs, however, leave no room for error.

Orlando coach Stan Van Gundy will need his squad healthy and hot at the right time to make a deep push into June. Therefore, the more scorers at his disposal, the better.

J.R. Smith can provide instant offense faster than an express lane. He can affect the game with the other nine best players on the floor or when the benches have been cleared out. 

He would be a useful talent for Van Gundy to put on small forwards to wear them down or to overpower smaller shooting guards. 

Playoff time is winning time. At this juncture, the Orlando Magic will need all the help they can get.