Chris Paul To Help In Recruiting J.R. Smith To Clippers

by SB Nation NBA News on Feb 13, 2012 9:20 AM PST in News

(SB Nation, Scott Schroeder) Former Denver Nuggets shooting guard J.R. Smith will be a free agent as soon as he returns from his lockout vacation in China. He likely won't be on the open market for long, however, as there are a few teams that seem ready to sign him upon entry into America.

The New York Knicks and Los Angeles Clippers are both still interested, meaning not a lot has changed since last week's report, but the Clippers have become a more attractive option as of late. Not only can the now offer a starting spot as Chauncey Billups is out for the season, but Smith's being recruited as well, according to ESPN's Ramona Shelburne.

Like Billups did with recently-signed Kenyon Martin, point guard Chris Paul has taken a lead role in recruiting Smith, according to the source. The two are close from their two seasons as teammates with the Hornets.

The Clippers still can't offer Smith a lot of money, and it seems Smith and Carmelo Anthonyhave some connection as well, but it certainly can't hurt to have the best point guard in the game helping recruiting efforts for the Clippers.

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Jr Would be a great fit

We could use a solid 3 point threat. Since Chauncey went down, so has our 3 point percentage and 3pm!

by you_got_mosgoved! on Feb 13, 2012 9:31 AM PST reply actions

If it doesn't pan out

we still have 2 trade exceptions… I kinda like the idea of going after Nicloas Batum, and playing Caron at the 2…

by you_got_mosgoved! on Feb 13, 2012 9:38 AM PST reply actions

Um, not to sound mean...

But how and why would Portland give us N.Batum?
Also, IIRC, the trade exceptions cannot be used together; separate only. This makes them pretty insignificant; the team could probably only hunt for team scrubs on other benches (with low end salaries) and try to “deepen” the bench. Yet given that B.Cook and R.Gomes are guaranteed contract wise, doubt the team will be seeking any other more bench scrub.

by UC.Clipper on Feb 13, 2012 9:47 AM PST up reply actions

And, Portland's not anywhere near the luxury tax.

Nothing going on here.
Portland wants to BEAT the Clips, not help them.

by John Raffo on Feb 13, 2012 9:50 AM PST up reply actions

I'm pretty sure...

that it’s a classic “trade him or get nothing when he walks” situation with Batum. At least that’s what Blazers fans are saying. In that case, if we have an attractive offer, they might consider.

Clippers // Chargers // Rays // Boise State
"The Lakers do win games. But things can change." - Blake Griffin

by 82-0 on Feb 13, 2012 10:02 AM PST via mobile up reply actions

He's only under contract till the end of the year

All indications are that they aren’t planning on resigning him. Why wouldn’t they see what they could get for him before he walks?

by you_got_mosgoved! on Feb 13, 2012 10:05 AM PST up reply actions

He'll be restricted though

A team will either offer a low-end contract that won’t be too pricey (and be matched by Portland) or the pursuing team will add him with a nice fat contract, under the hope he gets his game together and consistent. I would imagine that the Blazers would at worst pursue a sign and trade to get some picks and talent to cover his departure.

by UC.Clipper on Feb 13, 2012 10:14 AM PST up reply actions

Even so...

The best the Clippers can offer is Bledsoe. Batum is a monster – even if he doesn’t fit in PDX because of Wallace, he has massive value and the Blazers can get something good for him. He’s not an option.

In this world, you must be oh so smart or oh so pleasant. Well, for years I was smart. I recommend pleasant. - Elwood P. Dowd

by Steve Perrin on Feb 13, 2012 12:24 PM PST up reply actions

I watched Batum Saturday night in a close loss in Dallas

He played incredible defense and blocked many shots (athletic with long arms) in the 4th quarter. The knock on him (by Blazer Fans) is is lack of a consistent shot and does not play aggressively each game. I really like the kid but do not see him getting traded as he has great upside and I think he is only 23 years old.;

"Cheikh Samb, the player who allowed us to emotionally move on from losing Keith Closs"

by PV Mike on Feb 13, 2012 9:50 AM PST up reply actions

don't see how we can get batman 2.0 (battier being the original)

by shap on Feb 13, 2012 10:16 AM PST up reply actions

Isn't this the same as the Ramona thread in the fanshots?

Nothing new here.

by John Raffo on Feb 13, 2012 9:46 AM PST reply actions

About the Knicks...

Wouldn’t they have to use their MLE to sign Jeremy Lin to an extension? IIRC, he’s been on a 10-day contract.

Clippers // Chargers // Rays // Boise State
"The Lakers do win games. But things can change." - Blake Griffin

by 82-0 on Feb 13, 2012 9:57 AM PST via mobile reply actions

Well, that's the extension he's eligible for.

At $5 million though, I wonder if they’re better off trying to convince someone else for that kind of money (paging Steve Nash)

by UC.Clipper on Feb 13, 2012 10:02 AM PST up reply actions

Lin isn't on a 10 day

he is just a regular unguranteed contract so they won’t need to resign him until after the season.

"It's better to be an optimist who is sometimes wrong than a pessimist who is always right"unknown

by bestclipfan on Feb 13, 2012 10:30 AM PST up reply actions

or rather he was a unguranteed contract

until the deadline passed and his contract became guaranteed

"It's better to be an optimist who is sometimes wrong than a pessimist who is always right"unknown

by bestclipfan on Feb 13, 2012 10:31 AM PST up reply actions

before billups went down, i was totally against pursuing jr

not a good locker influence and has always has a shot happy attitude on the court

but im liking him more now, team needs a swing player. foye should not be starting.

by shap on Feb 13, 2012 10:18 AM PST reply actions

I don't think CP3 would be recruiting him if he thought there was any chance of him...

being a bad influence on the team’s chemistry. CP3 should know more than anyone else if they spent two years on the same team.

If he is good enough for CP3, then he is good enough for me.

Get him!

by MySDClippers on Feb 13, 2012 10:38 AM PST up reply actions

In CP3 we trust!

by SoCalBoltFan on Feb 13, 2012 10:40 AM PST up reply actions

SG

I still think we should at least inquire about the availabilty of Ray Allen.

It's Hip to be a Clip!

by ClipperOptik on Feb 13, 2012 10:49 AM PST reply actions

Trade exeption

The Clippers still can’t offer Smith a lot of money

The Clippers could acquire JR in a sign-and-trade with the Nuggets for a second rounder. This way JR could earn up to 3.8 million this year, more than the Knicks can pay him.

The Nuggets would have to deal him to a conference rival, but besides a second rounder, it could net the Nuggets a trade exeption of their own, which they can use to find a stopgap for Gallo.

by eelcova on Feb 13, 2012 11:03 AM PST reply actions

It's been said before, no mid-season sign and trades.

by John Raffo on Feb 13, 2012 11:13 AM PST up reply actions

Not an option

In the new CBA, you can’t do a mid season S&T. This type of thing would have been an option last season, but not now.

In this world, you must be oh so smart or oh so pleasant. Well, for years I was smart. I recommend pleasant. - Elwood P. Dowd

by Steve Perrin on Feb 13, 2012 12:26 PM PST up reply actions

We probably could have used him tonight…at least we’d have a sg with size to guard Vince….

by DannyDodger on Feb 13, 2012 12:21 PM PST reply actions

I hope

that if we do sign JR, we keep Foye as the starting 2 and bring JR off the bench. What we need is more bench production; we don’t really “need” more production from our starters.

"I'd never buy my girl a watch... she's already got a clock
over the stove." - Charles Barkley

by phitePSEF on Feb 13, 2012 5:53 PM PST reply actions