LATimes: Clippers Set Sights On Signing J.R. Smith

By SandmanNyC - 02-05-2012, 10:06 AM - Boxden > BX SportsCenter

Reporting from Washington— 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[..]n. 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.

He would be an unrestricted free agent that the Clippers could sign to the mini-mid-level exception of $2.5 million, or for the veteran minimum of about $1 million.

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.

http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-...0,113716.story

so knicks, lakers, and clippers so far, what rumor will pop up next? dallas?

02-05-2012, 10:15 AM

The clippers could go buff some wood.

My nigha swish just tweeted about having dreams of running the pick & roll with stat and playing on broadway

02-05-2012, 10:18 AM

Originally Posted by SmoothTay

The clippers could go buff some wood.

My nigha swish just tweeted about having dreams of running the pick & roll with stat and playing on broadway

SMH JR Smith in New York on an already dysfunctional team...lol

02-05-2012, 10:28 AM

JR Smith ain't signing with the Knicks..

As for (JR) Smith, his father, Earl, told SNY.tv, that his son is “just concentrating on what he's gotta get done.” Earl seemed to dismiss the Knicks, who only have the $2.5 million mini-level available, as an ... “So $2.5 million, come on,” he said.

02-05-2012, 10:31 AM

Originally Posted by SmoothTay

The clippers could go buff some wood.

My nigha swish just tweeted about having dreams of running the pick & roll with stat and playing on broadway

don't get ur hopes up bro, he jus !!in w/ us

yesterday he tweeted some !! about how many seats are in the staple center and some !! about he would love to pass to pau or something

i think he'll end up w/ the clppers

chauncey already convinced kmart after he said the same !! jr said
now chauncey goin after jr smith
!! chauncey

02-05-2012, 10:34 AM

Originally Posted by SandmanNyC

don't get ur hopes up bro, he jus !!in w/ us

yesterday he tweeted some !! about how many seats are in the staple center and some !! about he would love to pass to pau or something

i think he'll end up w/ the clppers

chauncey already convinced kmart after he said the same !! jr said
now chauncey goin after jr smith
!! chauncey

Knicks played Chauncey.. Released him and got nothing to show for it except Mike Bibby, Baron Davis, and Tony Douglas, who haven't produced worth !! (only Jeremy Lin is the bright spot on that PG squad)

Get em Chauncey, Finals MVP deserves better than that bull!! treatment.. nicca been getting shipped out more than the slaves in Africa

02-05-2012, 03:42 PM

Originally Posted by refuze

Knicks played Chauncey.. Released him and got nothing to show for it except Mike Bibby, Baron Davis, and Tony Douglas, who haven't produced worth !! (only Jeremy Lin is the bright spot on that PG squad)

Get em Chauncey, Finals MVP deserves better than that bull!! treatment.. nicca been getting shipped out more than the slaves in Africa

02-05-2012, 04:32 PM

Originally Posted by refuze

JR Smith ain't signing with the Knicks..

Not many teams have 2.5 M to spend.... Clippers just used their 2.5 on Martin.

02-05-2012, 04:44 PM

[smiley]

02-05-2012, 04:48 PM

I hope he signs with the Clips

02-05-2012, 04:53 PM

hes gonna sign with them. knicks are balls and he wouldn't help them in any way possible. clippers actually need a sg and lakers just don't have that golden touch anymore.

02-05-2012, 05:02 PM

Originally Posted by JamcnPrettyboy

hes gonna sign with them. knicks are balls and he wouldn't help them in any way possible. clippers actually need a sg and lakers just don't have that golden touch anymore.

02-05-2012, 05:11 PM

05:35 PM

Originally Posted by 27Lives

the knicks need a pg not another sg. why in the world would they need ANOTHER scorer?

the clippers are running billups at sg. and i think mo williams as his back up. undersized dudes running running the 2 spot

02-05-2012, 06:58 PM

Why would any player sign with the knicks right now? They playing like !!.

02-05-2012, 09:02 PM

Originally Posted by JamcnPrettyboy

the knicks need a pg not another sg. why in the world would they need ANOTHER scorer?

the clippers are running billups at sg. and i think mo williams as his back up. undersized dudes running running the 2 spot

JR Smith can defend and come off the bench if need be. Did you see how the Knicks SG/PG can't score for !!? He would take the load off Melo and not allow him to be doubled teamed.

09:21 PM

Originally Posted by marcusaka50

Why would any player sign with the knicks right now? They playing like !!.

If you are gonna say something.. say it with logic. This !! makes no sense. Are we playing like !! yes, can it change yes. Sit yo[..] down.

02-05-2012, 09:05 PM

Knicks 2.5 mill >>>> clippers vet min

02-05-2012, 09:06 PM

Originally Posted by 27Lives

JR Smith can defend and come off the bench if need be. Did you see how the Knicks SG/PG can't score for !!? He would take the load off Melo and not allow him to be doubled teamed.

taking the scoring load of melo? are you serious? thats what amare is for. if melo wasn't taking over 20 shots a game and learned how to run high pick-n-rolls with amare he wouldn't need to score so damn much. every knicks game i watch melo is doing isolations the moment he gets the ball.

02-05-2012, 09:07 PM

man we need this man i would hope he would want to come play with kobe. but cant lie going to the clips would be a good move there loaded

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LATimes: Clippers Set Sights On Signing J.R. Smith

Reporting from Washington— The Clippers, still not done dealing after signing Kenyon Martin on Friday, ...