Clippers set sights on signing J.R. Smith

Post #1 » by **mkwest** » Sun Feb 5, 2012 3:45 am

Smith can return to the NBA after his team in China finishes its season. The Clippers hope he can bring scoring punch as backup small forward, says a person with knowledge of the situation.

The Clippers, still not done dealing after signing Kenyon Martin on Friday, will pursue guard J.R. Smith after the team he plays on in the Chinese Basketball Assn. finishes its season and he becomes eligible to play in the NBA, said a person not authorized to speak publicly on the matter.

The Clippers aren't getting enough production off the bench behind small forward Caron Butler and feel as if Smith can provide the team with a big scoring punch at the position, the person said.

Smith, a 6-6 wing player, averaged 12.5 points on 42.8% shooting, including 37.1% from three-point range, during his seven-year NBA career with New Orleans and Denver.

Under the CBA rules, Smith still can't return to the NBA until his Zhejiang Golden Bulls team's season is over. If the Golden Bulls miss the playoffs, it could open the door for Smith to return to the NBA by the All-Star weekend, Feb. 25-26.

The New York Knicks and Lakers reportedly also have interest in Smith.

But the Clippers like their chances because Smith played with Chris Paul in New Orleans and with Chauncey Billups and Martin in Denver.

The Clippers have a 15-man roster and would have to waive a player to make room for Smith.

Brad Turner, LA Times

easiestplayfts · Post #2 » by **easiestplayfts** » Sun Feb 5, 2012 4:24 am

Chauncey and Jr Smith went to the WCFs in Denver 8-)

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W87LUkGzooc[/youtube]

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WZKsP2NmhFA[/youtube]

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nHuqfQK6d28[/youtube]

That's a chip for this team.

Sofia · Post #3 » by **Sofia** » Sun Feb 5, 2012 4:27 am

Gomes and Cook to Bobcats for MJ's fart in a jar.

Bobcats get guys better than half their team, Clippers get closer to smelling greatness.

Post #4 » by **og15** » Sun Feb 5, 2012 4:46 am

Goodbye Foye and/or Gomes, it was nice knowing you

PlinkingPanda · Post #5 » by **PlinkingPanda** » Sun Feb 5, 2012 8:27 am

og15 wrote:Goodbye Foye and/or Gomes, it was nice knowing you

I would prefer to see foye gone first. That would allow Bledsoe to get a bit of playing time while having gomes as a 3rd option.

Post #6 » by **mkwest** » Sun Feb 5, 2012 9:06 am

I'd really expect Jones to be waived if we pick up Smith or anyone else. He's unguaranteed. Actually, I wouldn't be surprised if we waived Jones before the 10th and then signed him to 10-day contracts.

RiversideClips · Post #7 » by **RiversideClips** » Sun Feb 5, 2012 2:28 pm

In past years, any transactions during the year is usually to unload players. This year year, Oshley is pro -active and trying to improve the team w/ each acquisition. I still have a hard time believing that Oshley has pulled off some of these moves;
#1 sign Caron Butler to a FA contract
#2 trade for CP3 (Minny may not be the worst team,there pick could be #10)
#3 bid on Chauncey;win the bidding war & Chauncey shows up
#4 Reggie Evans signs a Vet League minimum contract
#5 Chauncey calls KMART & the Clips are on a shopping spree once again
#6 JR Smith ??
We will look a little like the 09" Nuggets, but with Butler,DeAndre,CP3 & Blake we will be a stronger & better team!
Oshley seems to have lock on Exec of the Year, I NEVER saw that coming. What a time to be a member of Clipper Nation.

bigball123 · Post #8 » by **bigball123** » Sun Feb 5, 2012 4:22 pm

Would we trade Foye boy for a big if this happened?

Post #9 » by **thanumba2clippersfan** » Sun Feb 5, 2012 5:50 pm

I'm not sure how I would feel if we sign JR Smith. I'm sure that our chances are pretty good since we have a number of connections to Smith on this team. He would fill a need if we sign him. At times he looks like a premier offensive player and other times not so much. I've always felt like he's needed to mature as a person. I guess I'll just wait and see what happens. If he does indeed sign with us then I will hope for the best.

Kyle · Post #10 » by **Kyle** » Sun Feb 5, 2012 8:47 pm

If we sign Smith, he would have to be playing SF more than SG. He'd be a big upgrade for the offense over Gomes. Having all these quality guys is a pretty good problem to have. lol.

adiedanny · Post #11 » by **adiedanny** » Sun Feb 5, 2012 9:12 pm

Pandam00nium wrote:
og15 wrote:Goodbye Foye and/or Gomes, it was nice knowing you

I would prefer to see foye gone first. That would allow Bledsoe to get a bit of playing time while having gomes as a 3rd option.

Not me! Foye has been playing pretty strong lately. At this point I would even go as far as saying I prefer him coming off the bench as the 3 rather than Gomes. I'm pretty sure with the new cba we can open a roster by sending a qualifying player to the D league. So I can see Leslie moving over to the D league.

jflipclip · Post #12 » by **jflipclip** » Sun Feb 5, 2012 9:19 pm

I wanna see how K-Mart fits with our bench. We needed a post-presence with our bench unit since all they do is shoot, so I wanna see if K-Mart changes that. JR Smith is another shooter but he can slash and make plays, so a definite upgrade over Gomes/Foye. Although I think Gomes moves off the ball more and does all the little things.

The cons I see is potential for offcourt issues, bonehead decisions, and he doesn't really address our defensive needs?

Post #13 » by **og15** » Sun Feb 5, 2012 10:51 pm

Kenyon Martin has never been a post up player. His value will be defensively, being a good passer from the big man positions, and offensively he's a finisher. He can hit a little mid-range jumper once in a whole, but the majority of the rest of his game is just finishing.

jflipclip · Post #14 » by **jflipclip** » Mon Feb 6, 2012 6:03 am

I didn't mean to say he's a post-up player. I meant to imply that as a PF, he'll have some presence down low due to the pick-and-pop/roll. Whereas Evans hardly finishes around the basket nor can he shoot the jumper. I think KMart can also make good passes, like Griffin, off the pick-and-pop. That's what I meant by "post-presence," where usually when opponents guard our second unit all they really have to do is guard the perimeter (when Griffin is on the bench).

Post #15 » by **og15** » Mon Feb 6, 2012 5:42 pm

jflipclip wrote:I didn't mean to say he's a post-up player. I meant to imply that as a PF, he'll have some presence down low due to the pick-and-pop/roll. Whereas Evans hardly finishes around the basket nor can he shoot the jumper. I think KMart can also make good passes, like Griffin, off the pick-and-pop. That's what I meant by "post-presence," where usually when opponents guard our second unit all they really have to do is guard the perimeter (when Griffin is on the bench).

Oh okay, lol, I thought you meant like back to the basket type of post presence, just didn't want you to be sorely disappointed.