NBA Rumors: J R Smith Stalemate Heats Up Ties to 76ers

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Jun 19, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard J.R. Smith (5) with the Larry O /

This Is Not Their First Rodeo

J.R. Smith has been involved in the contract waiting game before – just last year to be exact. Then, it was the Philadelphia 76ers who were linked to the player as well.

Sixers expressed interest in free agent guard JR Smith, but that's dwindled. Cavs want to re-sign Smith, letting market determine his value.
— Sam Amico (@AmicoHoops) August 4, 2015

At the time, it was President Sam Hinkie at the helm, and his interest in Smith was for the value of the player in the long run. Now the Philadelphia 76ers appear to be a team running a “who’s who” of veteran NBA guards, and in the process, have reached out to quite a few.

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With guard Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot eligible for assignment to the D-League Delaware 87ers, and with guard Furkan Korkmaz stashed in a European assignment, the team has some flexibility with the guard position. In essence, the team could offer Smith a huge dollar two-year deal, bring his championship caliber talents and experience to the midst of a very young and impressionable roster, and benefit virtually 24 hours a day from his presence on the roster.

Smith is a twelve year NBA veteran who now knows the joy of hoisting an NBA championship. That “quest” for gold is now over. He is also a traveller. He’s played in twelve seasons, but with just 1.5 years as a Cleveland Cavalier. So far, he’s had to wait, bide his time, and hope he gets paid by the team. He can score, and his 40 percent shooting from the perimeter looks awfully enticing to a team looking for perimeter shooting.

And Ben Simmons presence on the Philadelphia 76ers roster may be enough to pique Smith’s interest.

This could be the year that he’s ready to skip the drama and just get a contract, get paid, and get playing.

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