SB Nation Los Angeles - Free Agent Guard J.R. Smith Decides On New York Knicks Over Clippers, Lakershttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48949/la-fave.png2012-02-17T10:04:50-08:00http://losangeles.sbnation.com/rss/stream/25628522012-02-17T10:04:50-08:002012-02-17T10:04:50-08:00NBA Free Agents 2012: J.R. Smith Chooses New York Knicks Over Los Angeles Clippers, Lakers
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/jh9Z6YLoOn8RpIDEcry6r_S1VkQ=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828123/large_losangeles.sbnation.com.minimal.0.png" />
</figure>
<p>After starting his 2012 season over in China, former Denver Nugget <span>J.R. Smith</span> has chosen to play for the <a href="https://www.postingandtoasting.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">New York Knicks</a> rather than the <a href="https://www.clipsnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Los Angeles Clippers</a> <a href="http://espn.go.com/new-york/nba/story/_/id/7585216/ex-denver-nuggets-guard-jr-smith-chooses-play-new-york-knicks" target="_blank">according to ESPN,</a> rejoining some former teammates in Denver, most notably of course <span>Carmelo Anthony</span>.</p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/#!/TheRealJRSmith/status/170519959586349061">J.R. tweeted the fact</a> he's heading to the Big Apple, earlier on Friday, exclaiming 'New York it is!" as he prepare's to re-enter the NBA. No contract terms were readily available, but the Knicks offered J.R. Smith a pro-rated stake of a $2.5 million mid-level exception, as well as a player option for a second year.</p>
<p>New York will have to make room for his arrival with seldom used <span>Mike Bibby</span> and <span>Renaldo Balkman</span> as possible candidates, but will also have to fight for minutes that coach Mike D'Antoni frankly doesn't know where they'll come from:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>"We'll see, but that'll be a hurdle we'll get over," D'Antoni said after Friday's shootaround. "Obviously, he's a talented basketball player and you can always use talent. But basically it's not going to change up a whole lot what we're doing."</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Smith mulled over the possibility of coming West to join the Clippers or <a href="https://www.silverscreenandroll.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Lakers</a>, and had offers from their team's as well, but ultimately decided on New York. And the media attention surrounding the team lately with <span>Jeremy Lin</span>, I's sure J.R. will do his best to make his presence felt there.</p>
<p><b><i>For more on the Clippers head over <a target="_blank" href="http://www.clipsnation.com">Clips Nation.</a> </i></b></p>
https://losangeles.sbnation.com/los-angeles-clippers/2012/2/17/2804958/nba-free-agents-2012-jr-smith-chooses-new-york-knicks-clippers-lakersErnie Pomin2012-02-16T20:41:54-08:002012-02-16T20:41:54-08:00Are Clippers, Lakers Still In Play For J.R. Smith?
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/jh9Z6YLoOn8RpIDEcry6r_S1VkQ=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828123/large_losangeles.sbnation.com.minimal.0.png" />
</figure>
<p>Whatever his plans are after returning to the United States, free agent guard <span>J.R. Smith</span> isn't telling anybody, at least not year. Despite reports earlier Thursday of the former <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.denverstiffs.com/">Denver Nuggets</a> guard <a target="_blank" href="http://losangeles.sbnation.com/los-angeles-clippers/2012/2/16/2803357/new-york-knicks-j-r-smith/in/2562852">signing with the New York Knicks</a>, Smith has at least kept open the possibility of signing with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.clipsnation.com/">Los Angeles Clippers</a> or <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.silverscreenandroll.com/">Los Angeles Lakers</a>, at least superficially.</p>
<p>Smith returned to the U.S. from China on Thursday, and has been tweeting fans and friends online for most of the evening. Apparently his deal with New York is not yet done, as <a target="_blank" href="http://twitter.com/TheRealJRSmith">his Twitter page</a> shows "NYK? LAL? LAC?" as his biography:</p>
<p align="center"><a href="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/955465/jr-smith-twitter.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Jr-smith-twitter_medium" class="photo" src="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/955465/jr-smith-twitter_medium.jpg"></a></p>
<p>Earlier on Thursday, Clipper Darrell tweeted "WELCOME TO LOS ANGELES" to Smith, and <a target="_blank" href="http://twitter.com/TheRealJRSmith/status/170304587218157568">Smith retweeted it</a> and added, "Thanks." One wonders whether Smith simply landed at Los Angeles International Airport and was simply accepting the welcome as one to the city and not the team.</p>
<p>Whether Smith ultimately joins old teammates <span>Chris Paul</span>, <span>Kenyon Martin</span>, and <span>Chauncey Billups</span> in Los Angeles remains to be seen, but at least he shares a fondness of them from afar. Smith was watching the Clippers play the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.blazersedge.com/">Portland Trail Blazers</a> Thursday night, <a target="_blank" href="http://twitter.com/TheRealJRSmith/status/170355801595195394">tweeting</a>, "Watching the clipper game in the airport! #lovetheUS."</p>
<p>Is Smith simply stringing along Los Angeles as his agent crosses the t's and dots it i's on Smith's contract with New York? Who knows? But we will find out soon enough.</p>
<p><i><b>To discuss Smith signing up with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="../../../nba/teams/new-york-knicks">Knicks</a>, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.postingandtoasting.com/">head on over to Posting and Toasting</a>. To talk about how Smith could've fit in with the Clippers and where L.A. should go from here,<a target="_blank" href="http://www.clipsnation.com/"> check out Clips Nation</a>.</b></i></p>
https://losangeles.sbnation.com/los-angeles-clippers/2012/2/16/2803998/j-r-smith-los-angeles-clippers-lakers-twitter-new-york-knicksEric Stephen2012-02-16T15:07:19-08:002012-02-16T15:07:19-08:00J.R. Smith Reportedly To Sign With New York Knicks Over Los Angeles Clippers
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/jh9Z6YLoOn8RpIDEcry6r_S1VkQ=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828123/large_losangeles.sbnation.com.minimal.0.png" />
</figure>
<p><span>J.R. Smith</span> has had a decent enough time in China this season, but it's time for him to rejoin the NBA ranks. For a long time, <span>Chris Paul</span> and the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.clipsnation.com/">Los Angeles Clippers</a> seemed like one of the most logical destinations for him to regain his NBA luster in a prominent role as one of the main bench players.</p>
<p>However, he seems to have found another interesting fit for him, as he's about to team up with Linsanity in Madison Square Garden. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/basketball/knicks/ny-knicks-closing-deal-add-free-agent-shooting-guard-smith-article-1.1023816">Frank Isola of the New York Daily News reports</a>.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/basketball/knicks/jeremy-lin-rise-ny-knicks-stuff-dreams-article-1.1023481"><b></b></a></p>
<blockquote>
<p>Smith's agent, <a title="Leon Rose" href="http://www.nydailynews.com/topics/Leon+Rose">Leon Rose</a>, met with Garden <a title="James Dolan" href="http://www.nydailynews.com/topics/James+Dolan">Chairman James Dolan</a> following Wednesday's Knicks' win over Sacramento to finalize a contract. It is believed that Smith, who has also attracted the interest of the Clippers, will receive the Knicks' $2.5 million exception. Rose also represents Anthony, who has lobbied the club to add Smith, an explosive scorer who can also be erratic at times. He has averaged 12.5 points per game over seven NBA seasons.</p>
</blockquote>
<div style="overflow: hidden; color: #000000; background-color: #ffffff; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; border: medium none;"><br></div>
<p>Whether Smith starts or comes off the bench remains to be seen. He does provide the Knicks with quality depth they'll need as they move closer to the playoff grind.</p>
<p>While the Clippers aren't going to be reeling backwards from this free agent decision, it will limit their options offensively with <span>Caron Butler</span> and <span>Randy Foye</span> their primary two guard options. Neither is a bad player, but they lack the swag and hot hand of Smith who can fill it in when he's out. Of course, the downside to Smith is he can derail his team if he doesn't reel it in.</p>
<p><i><b>To discuss Smith signing up with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.postingandtoasting.com/">Knicks</a>, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.postingandtoasting.com">head on over to Posting and Toasting</a>. To talk about how Smith could've fit in with the Clippers and where L.A. should go from here,<a target="_blank" href="http://www.clipsnation.com"> check out Clips Nation</a>.</b></i></p>
https://losangeles.sbnation.com/los-angeles-clippers/2012/2/16/2803357/new-york-knicks-j-r-smithAvinash Kunnath2012-02-16T04:00:56-08:002012-02-16T04:00:56-08:00Los Angeles Clippers In Contact With J.R. Smith
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/jh9Z6YLoOn8RpIDEcry6r_S1VkQ=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828123/large_losangeles.sbnation.com.minimal.0.png" />
</figure>
<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.clipsnation.com/">Los Angeles Clippers</a> are probably one or two pieces away from being a title contender. <span>Chris Paul</span> is the field general for the team, and he has <span>Blake Griffin</span> and <span>DeAndre Jordan</span> accepting lobs and becoming forces inside. <span>Caron Butler</span> and <span>Mo Williams</span> have proven to be solid scoring options on the outside. However, the Clippers did lose <span>Chauncey Billups</span> for the season, which could be a crucial loss come playoff time as the team now lacks a tested playoff scorer.</p>
<p>Free agent guard <span>J.R. Smith</span> could fill that need. And it seems as if <span>Vinny Del Negro</span> feels the same way.<a target="_blank" href="http://clippers.ocregister.com/2012/02/15/clippers-have-spoken-to-j-r-smith/"> Dan Woike of the Orange County Register filed this report</a>.</p>
<blockquote>
<p>Clippers head coach <b>Vinny Del Negro</b> said that he has spoken with unrestricted free agent <b>J.R. Smith</b> about joining the team. Del Negro called it a "very, very good" conversation, neglecting to share any details.</p>
<p>Smith, a 6-foot-6 wing, would help replace some of the scoring the Clippers lost when <b>Chauncey Billups</b> ruptured his Achilles tendon last week in Orlando</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Smith is supposed to be back in the United States tomorrow. And if this talk is substantial, the Clippers could have that solid slasher they've so desperately needed to play off of Chris Paul.<i><b><br></b></i></p>
<p><i><b>To discuss the possibility of Smith being a Clipper, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.clipsnation.com">head on over to Clips Nation</a>. <br></b></i></p>
https://losangeles.sbnation.com/los-angeles-clippers/2012/2/16/2801822/j-r-smith-los-angeles-clippersAvinash Kunnath2012-02-14T17:16:06-08:002012-02-14T17:16:06-08:00NBA Free Agent Rumors: Clippers, Chris Paul Interested in Adding J.R. Smith, Per Report
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/jh9Z6YLoOn8RpIDEcry6r_S1VkQ=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828123/large_losangeles.sbnation.com.minimal.0.png" />
</figure>
<p>There have been rumblings as of late that the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.clipsnation.com/">Los Angeles Clippers</a> are interested in the services of veteran shooting guard <span>J.R. Smith</span>, who is currently finishing out his season in China, once he becomes eligible for the NBA again on Wednesday. Furthering speculation, <span>Chris Paul</span> is openly lobbing for the acquisition. </p>
<p>Per <a href="http://espn.go.com/los-angeles/nba/story/_/id/7573563/chris-paul-says-los-angeles-clippers-chances-inking-jr-smith-very-high" target="_blank">Marc Stein's ESPN's report</a> - </p>
<blockquote>
<p>"I think our chances are very high," Paul said Monday night after the Clippers' 96-92 loss to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/">Dallas Mavericks</a>. </p>
<p>Smith recently announced via his Twitter feed that he expects to be back in the States by Wednesday. Although the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.postingandtoasting.com/">Knicks</a> can offer a prorated share of the $2.5 million mini-midlevel exception for the rest of the season, whereas L.A. can't pay more than the veteran minimum, Paul believes the presence of three of Smith's former teammates on the Clippers' roster and the minutes and shots opened up by the season-ending Achilles injury suffered by <span>Chauncey Billups</span> will be strong lures.</p>
<p>"Who knows J.R. better than me?" Paul said of Smith, his teammate for two seasons with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/teams/new-orleans-hornets">Hornets</a>. Referring to <span>Kenyon Martin</span> and Billups, both of whom played with Smith in Denver, Paul attributes his optimism to "my relationship with J.R., Kenyon's relationship with him and Chauncey's relationship with him. Also he knows he'll have the opportunity to play here," Paul said. "He can only make us better."</p>
</blockquote>
<p>As noted above, the Clippers are expected to have some competition in the form of the Knicks, who can pay Smith more, but are hoping that familiarity and fit are higher on his priority list. </p>
<p><i><b>For more news and information on the Clippers, be sure to read <a href="http://www.clipsnation.com/" target="_blank">Clips Nation</a>.</b></i></p>
https://losangeles.sbnation.com/los-angeles-clippers/2012/2/14/2798837/nba-free-agent-rumors-clippers-chris-paul-interested-in-adding-j-rDanny Kelly2012-02-13T02:52:14-08:002012-02-13T02:52:14-08:00Clippers Are The Best Option For J.R. Smith
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/jh9Z6YLoOn8RpIDEcry6r_S1VkQ=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828123/large_losangeles.sbnation.com.minimal.0.png" />
</figure>
<p>The Clippers need size on the wing, and Smith is by far the best available free agent who fills their need.</p> <p><span>J.R. Smith</span> wasn't the only NBA player who chose to play professional basketball overseas during the NBA lockout. But unlike <span>Deron Williams</span> and others who headed for Europe, Smith looked to the far east, even though the Chinese Basketball Association wouldn't allow NBA players to opt out once the lockout ended. A contract in China meant a long term commitment, well into the NBA season.</p>
<p><b>More: <a href="http://www.clipsnation.com/2012/2/13/2795205/chris-paul-jr-smith-los-angeles-clippers-free-agent?utm_source=article&utm_medium=position2&utm_campaign=relatedlinks"><i>Chris Paul helping to recruit J.R. Smith to the Clippers</i></a></b></p>
<p>Smith and a few others (bizarrely, almost all of them former <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.denverstiffs.com/">Denver Nuggets</a> like <span>Kenyon Martin</span> and <span>Wilson Chandler</span> -- <span>Aaron Brooks</span> is the other prominent NBA player who signed in China) decided to take the plunge. The money was decent, and for awhile there as the Players' Association decertified, it seemed as if they'd made the right choice. But the lockout eventually ended, the prodigal Euros returned, and meanwhile Smith and the others were stuck in China.</p>
<p>But it's not all bad for J.R. He's eligible to return to the NBA at the conclusion of his Chinese team's season, and now that his Zhejiang Chouzhou Golden Bulls have been <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/NiuBBall/status/167991952229408768" target="_blank">mathematically eliminated</a> from the playoff picture, that return will be in just a few days on February 16. (Martin, who signed with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.clipsnation.com/">Clippers</a> February 3, left China in December and was granted a Letter of Clearance by FIBA, the governing body of international basketball, to sign in the NBA before his team's season ended.) Because Smith is the only unrestricted free agent of note who is available at this point, he will be in high demand and can pick his destination. The downside is that none of the attractive destinations have significant money to spend -- but J.R. made some money in China, and if he's smart he's looking at his team for the rest of the NBA season as an audition for his next big NBA contract.</p>
<p>The Clippers have expressed a strong interest in signing Smith, and judging from his twitter account, he has an interest in the Clippers as well. Even before <span>Chauncey Billups</span> was lost for the season with a torn Achilles tendon, the Clippers were interested in Smith to fill their need for a big shooting guard to match up with the Kobe Bryants and Joe Johnsons of the league. Now that Billups is out, that need becomes more acute -- but the Clippers also become more attractive as a destination, as Smith would be the new starter at the two.</p>
<p>The Clippers aren't the only team pursuing Smith of course. Both the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.postingandtoasting.com/">Knicks</a> and the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.silverscreenandroll.com/">Lakers</a> are interested in signing the swingman, and there are no doubt other suitors. Smith will be looking for a combination of factors in deciding his destination: a significant role, a chance to win, and money.</p>
<p>The Knicks still have their mini-mid level exception ($2.5M) left to spend, and so can offer more money than either the Clippers or Lakers, who can only offer the veteran's minimum of about a million. The Knicks can also offer him a big role in their depleted backcourt, but depending on where you stand on <span>Jeremy Lin</span>, they may not be able to offer a lot in the way of wins.</p>
<p>The Lakers certainly need scoring help off the bench, which Smith could provide in droves -- but as it happens, the Lakers already have a pretty good player at Smith's natural shooting guard position, and playing both Kobe and J.R. Smith together might not be the best idea, assuming the game is still played with just the one basketball.</p>
<p>The Clippers could offer Smith the starting shooting guard position, and given that he shores up the team's biggest remaining weakness, they could also offer him a very real chance to advance deep into the postseason.</p>
<p><span>Chris Paul</span> has <a href="http://espn.go.com/los-angeles/nba/story/_/id/7568856/source-los-angeles-clippers-jr-smith-suitors" target="_blank">taken the lead</a> for the Clippers in recruiting Smith -- the two of them were teammates Paul's rookie season with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/teams/new-orleans-hornets">Hornets</a> and remain close. Smith would also be reunited with former Nuggets teammates <span>Reggie Evans</span>, Martin and Billups, though only in the locker room in Billups' case of course. And while Smith has been considered immature and problematic at times in his NBA career, the presumption is that with strong veteran leadership on the team, especially Paul and Billups, it won't be an issue keeping Smith in line.</p>
<p>The conventional wisdom is that J.R.'s choice will come down to the Knicks or the Clippers. If he wants more money, he'll wind up in New York. If he wants more wins, he'll wind up in LA. Either way, he should be making his decision soon.</p>
https://losangeles.sbnation.com/los-angeles-clippers/2012/2/13/2794638/j-r-smith-los-angeles-clippers-new-york-knicks-lakersSteve Perrin2012-02-12T19:25:58-08:002012-02-12T19:25:58-08:00NBA Free Agent Rumors: Clippers Targeting J.R. Smith, Per Report
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/2Ynv8PMn5c2lkZ8Jd6rBPlcJa1U=/0x196:460x503/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/photo_images/2567036/GYI0064460419.jpg" />
<figcaption>Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Smith is eligible to return to the NBA on Wednesday, February 15.</p> <p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.clipsnation.com/">Los Angeles Clippers</a> are trying to add <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.denverstiffs.com/">Denver Nuggets</a> at a rapid pace. To fill the void left by the ACL injury of guard <span>Chauncey Billups</span>, who is out for the season, the Clippers are among the teams interested in free agent guard <span>J.R. Smith</span>, whose season concludes in China this week.</p>
<p>Smith will be eligible to return to the NBA on Wednesday, and the Clippers have shown interest, <a target="_blank" href="http://espn.go.com/los-angeles/nba/story/_/id/7568856/source-los-angeles-clippers-jr-smith-suitors">according to Ramona Shelburne of ESPN LA</a>. "Like Billups did with recently-signed <span>Kenyon Martin</span>, point guard <span>Chris Paul</span> has taken a lead role in recruiting Smith, according to the source," Shelburne wrote. "The two are close from their two seasons as teammates with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/teams/new-orleans-hornets">Hornets</a>."</p>
<p>Smith, 26, has averaged 12.5 points, 2.8 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and 0.9 steals in 23.9 minutes per game in his seven NBA seasons, and is a career 37.1% three-point shooter. <span>Randy Foye</span> has started at shooting guard in place of Billups for the Clippers in the last three games, and has averaged 12.3 points per game so far.</p>
<p>As Shelburne also noted, the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.postingandtoasting.com/">New York Knicks</a> are also interested in Smith, and can offer roughly $1.5 million more than the Clippers, so it may take some recruiting from Paul and Billups to get Smith in Los Angeles.</p>
<p><i><b>For more news and information on the Clippers, be sure to read <a target="_blank" href="http://www.clipsnation.com/">Clips Nation</a>.</b></i></p>
https://losangeles.sbnation.com/los-angeles-clippers/2012/2/12/2794378/nba-free-agent-rumors-los-angeles-clippers-j-r-smith-china-new-york-knicksEric Stephen