Nuggets Might Lose JR Smith

BballerShotCaller · Post #1 » by **BballerShotCaller** » Tue Apr 29, 2008 11:15 pm

JR Smith opened some eyes around the league. I imagine some teams are wondering how good JR could be in their systems with better coaching and player development than Karl was able/willing to provide?

I think other teams have a good chance of plucking him away, especially if Karl remains. If JR is smart he will evaluate whether playing for Karl is in his best interest.(NOT)

Which teams do you see making the strongest advances for JR?

Cleveland?

New Jersey?

Orlando?

Others?

Where would he be a better fit?

denvers_finest · Post #2 » by **denvers_finest** » Tue Apr 29, 2008 11:21 pm

Karl certainly deserves some criticism for his job this year, but I actually give Karl alot of the credit for the progress JR made this year. He benched JR early in the season for his bad shot selection, poor defense, and overall poor decision making. JR responded by working on each of these aspects of his game, with help from the coaching staff, and has matured into a very promising player.

Regarding your question, JR is restricted, and unless he is offered a boat load of money somewhere else, I think Denver will match any offer he gets. Considering there are only 2 teams (I think) that will be under the cap and can offer more then the MLE, my money says JR will be in Denver next year.

DaFan334 · Post #3 » by **DaFan334** » Tue Apr 29, 2008 11:30 pm

Yeah, being restricted I dont see any way he's leaving. Too much talent not to match any offer.

pickaxe · Post #4 » by **pickaxe** » Wed Apr 30, 2008 12:20 am

JR needs to build cred for one more year with ample burn to get the contract he wants. Another team could get a steal right now, but JR would get the short end. His best option is remaining here for one full season to prove he is what he promises to be.

Plus this will be one of the few years of his career where he will be loved because he is not making a lot of money on a team with luxury tax and yet he can do so much for that team.

noone · Post #5 » by **noone** » Wed Apr 30, 2008 1:06 am

Karl certainly deserves some criticism for his job this year, but I actually give Karl alot of the credit for the progress JR made this year. He benched JR early in the season for his bad shot selection, poor defense, and overall poor decision making. JR responded by working on each of these aspects of his game, with help from the coaching staff, and has matured into a very promising player.

You're assuming that no other coach in the league could get JR to improve his shot selection, defense, etc in the 10 months it took him to do it. And that too without throwing JR under the bus any chance that he could. Heck, I would argue that JR's maturation would have in fact come even faster with most other coaches.

Karl has a way of putting players into a position of player vs. coach where he makes the player feel that he isn't doing what's in their best interest. He did it in the past, and he most definitely did it with JR.

It would be one thing if people didn't expect JR to be this good this fast, but the fact of the matter is it was long due. Don't give Karl too much credit. The man played JR 21.7 mpg in March and 22 mpg in April. That's ridiculous. He chose Carter over him. Shows how much confidence he has/had in JR. And even in Game 1 against the Lakers played him 23 minutes (9 in the first half in the midst of a great first half). And I can almost guarantee that had JR not had the great series that he did, Karl would have thrown him under the bus for his shot selection after game 4.

Edit: As for losing Smith, not a chance. There are only 2 teams that can offer him more than the MLE, Philly and Memphis. Philly I highly doubt even considers him. And Memphis could possibly go after him, but I'm sure there are plenty of other players they have their eyes set on before JR. No matter what the case, Denver can and will match.

Post #6 » by **corona** » Wed Apr 30, 2008 1:15 am

apparently denver will match anything up to the MLE

and after the series he had and the improvements he's shown, and considering the contract they gave nene....it wouldn't surprise me if they went higher.

noone · Post #7 » by **noone** » Wed Apr 30, 2008 1:36 am

corona wrote:apparently denver will match anything up to the MLE

and after the series he had and the improvements he's shown, and considering the contract they gave nene....it wouldn't surprise me if they went higher.

If they can lock him up for the MLE for 4-5 years, it'll be a steal for the Nuggets. There is also almost no reason why they shouldn't be able to get him for the MLE. Now the number of years is up in the air. JR signing for the MLE, but only for a couple of years is probably in his best interest.

ambiglight · Post #8 » by **ambiglight** » Wed Apr 30, 2008 1:55 am

denver doesnt deserve JR but i doubt he's leaving. i seriously doubt denver wont match whatever offers he gets.

Post #9 » by **The Rebel** » Wed Apr 30, 2008 2:45 am

ambiglight wrote:denver doesnt deserve JR

What exactly is that supposed to mean? Especially considering everything Denver has done for him since he was almost out of the league whne we got him.

ShowtimeFan · Post #10 » by **ShowtimeFan** » Wed Apr 30, 2008 3:39 am

I agree, Denver best be ready to pony up with at least MLE money,

I would love to have him on the Lakers..

RIP guys...

Reks · Post #11 » by **Reks** » Wed Apr 30, 2008 4:24 am

I would probably cry if JR went away
the talent he has and the potential is to good to give away

JRMelo15 · Post #12 » by **JRMelo15** » Wed Apr 30, 2008 5:01 am

Resigning JR has to be one of the top priorities. Yeah he takes stupid shots a lot, but he is very athletic and can turn it up sometimes. Use the MLE and don't even think about it twice.

Varsity878 · Post #13 » by **Varsity878** » Wed Apr 30, 2008 6:05 am

The best thing for the Nuggets to do is let JR test the open market and just match whatever he gets. Its only a few teams that can offer him anything more than the MLE and I doubt anyone cracks open the bank for JR Smith. He's a young, talented player but, still raw in a lot of areas. His maturity has came into question at times. I don't see that many teams jumping lining up to get him but, I expect he attracts a few suitors.

If someone gives their MLE, just match it. You are not going to get too many players of his skill with a 32-34 million dollar deal over 5 years, which roughly is the max he can get (unless some team under the cap signs him for more).

BTW, the Nuggets have his bird rights. So they can sign him and still use their MLE on another player.

UNLVNugsFan · Post #14 » by **UNLVNugsFan** » Wed Apr 30, 2008 7:19 am

Signing JR should be priority #2, right after firing Karl. So who knows what management will actually do.

Ballin02 · Post #15 » by **Ballin02** » Wed Apr 30, 2008 8:26 am

I think under the right Coach, JR could be special. All he needs is some discipline and someone to continue to help him develope. I agree that the Nuggets need to keep JR. I think I said this before, but with the way JR was treated at times during the season (being thrown under the bus by Karl) I wouldn't be surprised if he explores his options during the Summer, especially if Karl stays. IMO JR needs to play more then what he's played this season, I honastly feel like if he was played more it coud have helped the team get at least 2 or 3 extra wins. I think one of the things that will keep him in Denver is his friendship with some of his teammates.

Peanut · Post #16 » by **Peanut** » Wed Apr 30, 2008 2:42 pm

JR and Lebron on the wings with a pg that actually runs would be deadly.

Dwightmare · Post #17 » by **Dwightmare** » Wed Apr 30, 2008 5:31 pm

Orlando is very interested in JR, well, atleast I am.

If we offer the full MLE with max raises, that may be too much for you all to match. Your gauranteed salary for next year is already at the lux tax so he would end up costing you near Max money.

A SNT would be your best bet.

Post #18 » by **The Rebel** » Wed Apr 30, 2008 6:36 pm

dwightmeer wrote:Orlando is very interested in JR, well, atleast I am.

If we offer the full MLE with max raises, that may be too much for you all to match. Your gauranteed salary for next year is already at the lux tax so he would end up costing you near Max money.

A SNT would be your best bet.

How is a sign and trade going to lower the Nuggets cap? part of a sign and trade is taking back contracts and I see no one that the Magic deem tradable that I would trade JR for.

noone · Post #19 » by **noone** » Wed Apr 30, 2008 6:45 pm

dwightmeer wrote:Orlando is very interested in JR, well, atleast I am.

If we offer the full MLE with max raises, that may be too much for you all to match. Your gauranteed salary for next year is already at the lux tax so he would end up costing you near Max money.

A SNT would be your best bet.

MLE with max raises? What does that even mean?

Dwightmare · Post #20 » by **Dwightmare** » Wed Apr 30, 2008 11:11 pm

I meant SNT with someone else. The magic have nothing to offer.