Oklahoma City Targets J.R. Smith
Oklahoma City GM Sam Presti has his sights set on J.R. Smith. Presti had signed C.J. Miles to a four-year $15 million deal, a number that many thought was too high for the Jazz to match. But Utah did just that, and now Oklahoma City is back on the market looking to address their need at shooting guard.
But even more than the 6-6 guard/forward Miles, Smith fits the mold that Presti is looking to fill.
The ideal candidate appears to be a younger player, perhaps no older than 26, who is athletic, has good size, good upside and either is a gritty defender or skilled perimeter shooter.
The biggest question here is how much will Oklahoma City throw at J.R. The Nuggets have said that they’re going to match a deal offered to him, but they probably expect that to be in the $3 million per year range, similar to the three-year, $9 million deal that Kelenna Azubuike just signed in Golden State.
Presti is adamant about keeping OKC’s long-term cap space, which would limit any deal with Smith to a $4-5 million per year ceiling.
But with Denver trying to get under the luxury tax (see: ridiculous Marcus Camby trade), might they let J.R. walk if the pricetag is $1-2 million more than they’d like to pay?
Source: Oklahoman
July 28th, 2008 at 8:44 am
ERIC says:
I think the Nuggets would let JR Smith walk, especially after signing the cheaper and less volatile Dontay Jones (I believe JR Smith is the superior player).
However, I question this move from OKC’s side. JR Smith is a headcase who would definitely: 1) bump heads with PJ Carlisimo and 2) take too many shots away from Durant and 3) be a selfish presence on the team. For an impressionable, young squad, JR Smith is not the type of player you want in the locker room.
July 28th, 2008 at 8:53 am
Kobeef says:
I really like JR but agree with Eric that OKC is not the best place for him. He immediately becomes one of the elder statesmen which is not really a role he is ready to play.
That said, he is head and shoulders above CJ Miles and if OKC was offering that guy $15million they should not hesitate to make that offer to JR.
Based on the fact that JR has not had any offers I think it is safe to assume that other GM’s know the Nuggets are serious about keeping him.
July 28th, 2008 at 9:03 am
JA says:
Are they still planning on playing Durant at the 2? And if KD slides to the 3, is Green big enough to play the 4?
July 28th, 2008 at 9:07 am
doc says:
I dont see where people get the hes a selfish player rep from.I never seen no selfish shit.Every game I see he balling hard.OKC better get him before the Sixers do.
July 28th, 2008 at 9:26 am
Truth says:
I agree with Eric. OKC is not the place. Dude is too immature to play the vet for that team. Even though I think Kevin Durant shoots the ball wwwaaayyy too much for my liking from the perimeter for a guy his height and I just DON’T like his game. I have to agree that Smith would collide with the coach and the GARBAGE system they have in place currently.
July 28th, 2008 at 9:27 am
MSkittle says:
Not sure why everyone is calling JR Smith a headcase. He just has a lot of tats and bad shot selection. But I really don’t think he is a discipline problem.
July 28th, 2008 at 9:28 am
Truth says:
@Doc
Wasup homie!!
Congrats on the summer league try outs, if I’m ever in philly I’m a have tolook you up so I can come out there and cross you up!! LOL!!!
July 28th, 2008 at 9:57 am
iain. says:
damn that would be a nice, mad athletic young core:
Westbrook
Smith
Durant
Green
Wilcox/Swift
Actually too young, but fun to watch.
July 28th, 2008 at 9:57 am
todd says:
@doc
You don’t see everything on the court.
See Shawn Marion.
July 28th, 2008 at 10:04 am
doc says:
@todd If the Suns kept Marion they would have had a better record and got farther.What did Marion do besides complain to reporters.Who really gives a fuck as long as you win.JR aint no headcase.Just because a black dude got tats and argue a foul everynow and then dont make him a headcase.Is it because he fought Nate after Nate fucked him up?I’ve seen Larry Bird fight on the court is he a nutcase?@Truth Thanks dog, come on out so dime can get a first hand view how I wreck cats out here.
July 28th, 2008 at 10:31 am
Logan Light says:
If the Nuggets let JR go, Melo and AI might as well pursue some contracts overseas.
If they lose JR I will change my opinion about the worst franchise in the NBA (currently held by the Milwaukee Bucks).
LL
July 28th, 2008 at 10:35 am
DaPro says:
JR is mad talented but his Bball IQ is low as hell
He can help or hurt your team sometimes. OKC isn’t the spot for him. He needs to go to a squad that has a proven coach and stable veteran leadership
July 28th, 2008 at 10:36 am
Justice says:
This is the type of dumb shytt that makes bad teams bad,unless they plan to trade green this makes no sense, how many guys with bad shot selection can be on one team? unless durant fills out some more he is a 2 guard,westbrook is a 2,1 and green is a 3,plus u have ridnour n wilkins, seattle needs some mature selfless veteran big men and to just have some patients with the backcourt for a couple years…
July 28th, 2008 at 10:43 am
nick says:
jr needs a tough coach which i believe both okc and denver offer. but being on young squad with no vet leadership would hurt jr. he needs some guidance on and off the court. okc would have to offer a boatload of cash for jr to take it and for the nuggets to not match.
July 28th, 2008 at 10:43 am
Celts Fan says:
Imagine a lineup of:
Westbrook, JR Smith, Jeff Green, Durant, and Project Center 25. Solid start…
July 28th, 2008 at 10:45 am
SD32 says:
I really hope he goes back to the hornets. If they had kept him they might have snuck past the spurs in the semis last season. That is their biggest weakness & adding him & posey to last years lineup makes them legit. If the lakers dont trade 4 josh smith then hornets will take out the west next season 4 sure. Cavs vs Hornets in the finals next year!! (not exactly a prediction, more a prayer but anyway…)
July 28th, 2008 at 11:02 am
MoxWestCoastRep says:
What the hell are the nuggets doing?
Cue the meltdown.
July 28th, 2008 at 11:28 am
Amar says:
whatever . . . the nuggets are a joke of a franchise. but whatever, the media has always loved them, from the dan issel, alex english, mike adams, fat lever days. (not all on the same team)
July 28th, 2008 at 1:19 pm
jimmhumm says:
yep, the nugs is having a fire sale.
July 28th, 2008 at 1:43 pm
YOUNGFED says:
Thats a good look OKC. lol @post#7
July 28th, 2008 at 2:10 pm
Mo says:
J.R. may go to OKC out of desperation since it seems not a lot of teams are interested in him because when he was with the Hornets playing in OKC, word was he didn’t particularly like it there so if he goes there, it’ll be because no other teams are interested.
July 29th, 2008 at 6:01 am
Dave says:
The article was just a sportswriter pondering who he thinks the OK city team should go after. No actual links. He even says the team seems happy to start the season with what they have.