Bulls Rumors: J.R. Smith Would Make Chicago Dangerous in Playoffs

With the Chicago Bulls in the running for J.R. Smith's services, they have the potential to land a player who would significantly boost them come playoff time.

As 34-year-old Richard Hamilton has dealt with a groin injury, the Bulls have been forced to use Ronnie Brewer as their starting shooting guard. Even when Hamilton returns, there's no guarantee that he won't get injured again or re-aggravate his injury.

The Bulls have been searching for an impact shooting guard to place alongside Derrick Rose for a while now. Smith could be that impact shooting guard.

Not only can Smith light it up from downtown (shooting 37 percent for his career), but he's also an athletic player who would give the Bulls a potentially electric backcourt.

Smith shot 39 percent from beyond the arc for the Denver Nuggets last season, and he has become a better thief on the hardwood given his length, averaging 1.3 steals per game last season.

Smith isn't the one-on-one defensive player who the Bulls generally look for, but he still has the ability to help on defense.

But the main thing is his scoring, as a starter or a bench player. Rose is so good at drawing defenders that you can't help but think Smith would get plenty of wide-open looks on the floor. That added offense could come in handy against, say, the Miami Heat, who are averaging 103.1 points this season, second in the NBA.

One of the main problems for the Bulls last season in the playoffs was their lack of a dynamic shooting guard. Smith offers this and would be a great asset for the Bulls come the postseason.