Well, that didn’t last long.
After failing to work out a trade, the Cleveland Cavaliers waived guard J.R. Smith before his contract for next season became guaranteed. As an unrestricted free agent, many connected Smith to a reunion with LeBron James on the Lakers, giving the team a veteran shooter and someone James is familiar with.
James has a history of bringing role players with him to his new teams, but the Lakers had no interest. Just hours after Smith was released, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski poured cold water on hopes of a reunion.
“Once guard JR Smith clears waivers, the Los Angeles Lakers are an unlikely destination, league sources tell ESPN,” Wojnarowski tweeted Monday.
Smith played four seasons with James in Cleveland and was a key piece of their 2016 championship team. That year, Smith scored 12.4 points per game on 40 percent 3-point shooting.
Smith’s play has declined since that season, however, and his tenure with James came to an abrupt end after the Cavaliers got swept by the Warriors in the 2018 NBA Finals. In Game 1, Smith forgot the score in the closing seconds of regulation, prompting a viral interaction between him and James.
By waiving and stretching Smith’s guaranteed money, the Cavaliers will move below the luxury tax for next season. Smith, 33, played just 11 games last season before agreeing to leave the team.
James’ friendship with Carmelo Anthony has fueled intrigue for a potential move to Los Angeles, but the Lakers have yet to express any interest in signing the 35-year-old. Anthony has been out of the league after a short 10-game stint with the Rockets last season, during which he averaged a career-worst 13.4 points per game on 40.5 percent from the field.