RealGM

J.R. Smith in Demand

The smaller the free agent market gets, the more the interest in J.R. Smith increases. Smith, a restricted free agent, is one of the few reliable role players left who can make a legitimate impact off the bench. He was the Nuggets leading three-point shooter last season (40.3%) and shot 46% from the field. He also displayed impressive poise for a 22-year-old in the playoffs, averaging more than 18 points per game and shooting better than 53% in the Nuggets first round loss to the Los Angeles Lakers.

Smith redeemed himself after a disappointing postseason run in 2007, wherein he posted less than five points per game and shot 27%. This turnaround has reportedly caught the attention of the Smith's former team, the New Orleans Hornets, although they already acquired reserve swingman James Posey this summer. Oklahoma City could also be in the mix for Smith, but the Nuggets still have a hold on his rights. The Nuggets traded Marcus Camby partly to open salary cap space to re-sign Smith, leaving signs pointing to Smith's return to Denver.