SB Nation Denver - J.R. Smith Joins Jeremy Lin, New York Knickshttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48907/denver-fave.png2012-02-24T07:36:53-07:00http://denver.sbnation.com/rss/stream/21882492012-02-24T07:36:53-07:002012-02-24T07:36:53-07:00J.R. Smith Never Heard From Nuggets During Free Agent Process
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<p><span>J.R. Smith</span> is playing with former teammate <span>Carmelo Anthony</span> and the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.postingandtoasting.com/">New York Knicks</a> after a stint in China that had its issues. The competition for Smith involved ambushes at airports, but were the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.denverstiffs.com/">Denver Nuggets</a> ever interested in bringing back the shooter? No, they weren't, according to an article written by <a target="_blank" href="http://www.denverstiffs.com/2012/2/24/2820327/tomasson-j-r-smith-never-received-a-call-from-the-nuggets">Chris Tomasson for Denver Stiffs</a>:</p>
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<p>"I kind of expected it just from the way everything was,’’ Smith said before the <a href="https://www.postingandtoasting.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Knicks</a>’ game Thursday at Miami about never hearing anything from the Nuggets, who are well stocked with perimeter players. "It was kind like a no-brainer at the end of the day.’’</p>
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<p>The Nuggets have <span>Arron Afflalo</span> and <span>Danilo Gallinari</span> (injured) who start at shooting guard and at small forward while <span>Corey Brewer</span> and <span>Rudy Fernandez</span> also play those positions. The latter two were acquired right before the season began at the end of December, which really should have been a sign that the team didn't want Smith back.</p>
<p><i>Stay tuned to <a href="http://denver.sbnation.com/">SB Nation Denver</a> for more information, and for in-depth analysis on the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://denver.sbnation.com/denver-nuggets/2012/nba/teams/denver-nuggets">Denver Nuggets</a> be sure to visit <a href="http://denverstiffs.com/">Denver Stiffs</a></i><i>. Visit <a target="_blank" href="http://sbnation.com/nba/">SB Nation NBA</a> for more news and notes around the league.</i></p>
https://denver.sbnation.com/denver-nuggets/2012/2/24/2821334/jr-smith-new-york-knicks-denver-nuggetsRuss Oates2012-02-17T10:59:33-07:002012-02-17T10:59:33-07:00J.R. Smith Rumors: Guard Will Receive Player Option From Knicks, According To Report
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<p><span>J.R. Smith</span> has decided to sign with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.postingandtoasting.com/">New York Knicks</a>, but it isn't a done deal yet, according to Yahoo! Sports' Adrian Wojnarowski. The contract has <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/#!/WojYahooNBA/status/170563285425455105">not yet received Smith's signature</a>, but Wojnarowski also reports that a second year will be on the books <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/#!/WojYahooNBA/status/170560835549274114">as a player option</a>. The total worth of the contract would be worth $4.3 million if that report holds true.</p>
<p>Smith was one of three former <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.denverstiffs.com/">Denver Nuggets</a> who went over to China during the NBA lockout. <span>Kenyon Martin</span> was the first to return and he joined up with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.clipsnation.com/">Los Angeles Clippers</a>, also a suitor for Smith. <span>Wilson Chandler</span> was the third player and he is currently still in China since his Chinese Basketball Association team is in the playoffs. He is set to join the Nuggets once again. He is a restricted free agent.</p>
<p><i>Stay tuned to <a href="http://denver.sbnation.com/">SB Nation Denver</a> for more information, and for in-depth analysis on the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="../../../nba/teams/denver-nuggets">Denver Nuggets</a> be sure to visit <a href="http://denverstiffs.com/">Denver Stiffs</a></i><i>. Visit <a target="_blank" href="http://sbnation.com/nba/">SB Nation NBA</a> for more news and notes around the league.</i></p>
https://denver.sbnation.com/denver-nuggets/2012/2/17/2804932/jr-smith-rumors-new-york-knicks-contract-optionRuss Oates2012-02-17T08:16:51-07:002012-02-17T08:16:51-07:00J.R. Smith Joins New York Knicks And Jeremy Lin, LA Clippers Left Waiting At The Airport
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<p>Free agent shooting guard <span>J.R. Smith</span> announced on Friday morning <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/TheRealJRSmith/statuses/170519959586349061" target="_blank">via his Twitter page</a> that he will sign with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.postingandtoasting.com/">New York Knicks</a>, saying "New York Knicks It Is!" Smith will likely receive the full $2.5 million exception available to the team, and <a target="_blank" href="http://www.theknicksblog.com/2012/02/17/unable-to-make-deal-knicks-to-cut-balkman-and-sign-smith-today/">Tommy Dee of TKB </a>is reporting that the Knicks will release <span>Renaldo Balkman</span> to make room for J.R. after failing to free up a roster spot via trade.</p>
<p>Smith had been deciding between the L.A. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.clipsnation.com/">Clippers</a> and New York Knicks, and things got pretty aggressive in the final push for his services. <a style="text-decoration: underline; background-color: #ffffff;" target="_blank" href="http://www.oregonlive.com/sports/oregonian/john_canzano/index.ssf/2012/02/canzano_fight_for_jr_smith_off.html">John Canzano of</a> <a style="font-style: italic;" target="_blank" href="http://www.oregonlive.com/sports/oregonian/john_canzano/index.ssf/2012/02/canzano_fight_for_jr_smith_off.html">The Oregonian </a>reports that after Clippers head coach <span>Vinny Del Negro</span> offered the starting SG job to Smith via text message, the Knicks made sure the free agent sharpshooter never got on the plane to L.A.</p>
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<p>Things got so interesting Thursday that Smith hopped a plane from China to LAX, arriving at the airport in the late afternoon, where he was intercepted, his camp said, by a representative for the Knicks.</p>
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<p>Now the mercurial guard will join up with <span>Jeremy Lin</span>, <span>Carmelo Anthony</span>, Amar'e Stoudemire and <span>Tyson Chandler</span> as the Knicks try to sustain their red-hot charge into the heart of the Eastern Conference playoff race, and joins an offense that will encourage him to launch three-point shots early and often.</p>
<p><i>Stay tuned to <a href="http://denver.sbnation.com/">SB Nation Denver</a> for more information, and for in-depth analysis on the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.denverstiffs.com/">Denver Nuggets</a> be sure to visit <a href="http://denverstiffs.com/">Denver Stiffs</a></i><i>. Visit <a target="_blank" href="http://sbnation.com/nba/">SB Nation NBA</a> for more news and notes around the league.</i></p>
https://denver.sbnation.com/denver-nuggets/2012/2/17/2804578/jr-smith-new-york-knicks-jeremy-lin-clippersSteve von Horn2012-02-16T17:04:57-07:002012-02-16T17:04:57-07:00J.R. Smith Rumors: Guard Confirms He Is Close To Deal With New York Knicks
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<p>Earlier Thursday afternoon, rumors suggested that former <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.denverstiffs.com/">Denver Nuggets</a> guard <span>J.R. Smith</span> was nearing a deal with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.postingandtoasting.com/">New York Knicks</a>. According to Alex Kennedy, who spoke with Smith, that is indeed true.</p>
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<p>I just spoke to J.R. Smith. He confirmed that he's nearing a deal with the New York Knicks.</p>
— Alex Kennedy (@AlexKennedyNBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/AlexKennedyNBA/status/170291783773855744" data-datetime="2012-02-16T23:41:39+00:00">February 16, 2012</a>
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<p><i><b>Related</b>: <a href="http://denver.sbnation.com/denver-nuggets/2012/2/16/2802675/j-r-smith-rumors-jeremy-lin-new-york-knicks/in/2188249">Smith Close To Joining Jeremy Lin And New York Knicks, According To Report</a></i></p>
<p>Smith, who has been playing overseas in China, has spent the last five seasons with the Denver Nuggets. Last season he averaged 12.3 points per game primarily as a bench player and hit 39% of his three-point attempts. It appears as though Denver was never an option for his services this season.</p>
<p><i>Stay tuned to <a href="http://denver.sbnation.com/">SB Nation Denver</a> for more information, and for in-depth analysis on the Denver Nuggets be sure to visit <a href="http://denverstiffs.com">Denver Stiffs</a></i><i>. Visit <a href="http://sbnation.com/nba/" target="_blank">SB Nation NBA</a> for more news and notes around the league.</i></p>
https://denver.sbnation.com/denver-nuggets/2012/2/16/2803467/j-r-smith-rumors-new-york-knicks-denver-nuggets-nbaSteven Muma2012-02-16T11:24:36-07:002012-02-16T11:24:36-07:00J.R. Smith Rumors: Smith Close To Joining Jeremy Lin And New York Knicks, According To Report
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.denverstiffs.com/">Denver Nuggets</a> may lose out their homecoming free agent guard <span>J.R. Smith</span> to the league's latest sensation: <span>Jeremy Lin</span> and the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.postingandtoasting.com/">New York Knicks</a>. According to Frank Isola of the <i>New York Daily News</i>, the former Nugget may become a Knickerbocker before long:</p>
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<p>Knicks closing in on a deal for JR Smith, Daily News has learned. Need to cut a player. Two weeks earlier and it could have been Jeremy Lin</p>
— Frank Isola (@FisolaNYDN) <a data-datetime="2012-02-16T17:48:50+00:00" href="https://twitter.com/FisolaNYDN/status/170202995458457600">February 16, 2012</a>
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<p>The Knicks have launched themselves into the public spotlight after a seven-game win streak has put them at .500 in the 2011-12 NBA season. The team has owed much of its recent success to surprise breakout point guard Jeremy Lin, the 23-year-old Harvard grad who is averaging 23 points and 9.2 assists per 36 minutes.</p>
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<b>Related:</b> <a href="http://denver.sbnation.com/denver-nuggets/2012/2/15/2799750/jr-smith-rumors-los-angeles-lakers-mike-brown/in/2188249">J.R. Smith Rumors: Lakers' Mike Brown Confirms He Spoke With Free Agent Guard</a>
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<p>Smith played in Denver from 2006 through 2011, but went to play in China during the NBA lockout. At the conclusion of the lockout, he found himself stuck in his Chinese contract and only recently has been able to become an NBA free agent. The Nuggets are not believed to be seeking his services.</p>
<p><i>Stay tuned to <a href="http://denver.sbnation.com/">SB Nation Denver</a> for more information, and for in-depth analysis on the<a href="http://denver.sbnation.com/denver-nuggets/2011/12/nba/teams/denver-nuggets" target="_blank">Denver Nuggets</a> be sure to visit Denver Stiffs. Visit <a href="http://sbnation.com/nba/" target="_blank">SB Nation NBA</a> for more news and notes around the league.</i></p>
https://denver.sbnation.com/denver-nuggets/2012/2/16/2802675/j-r-smith-rumors-jeremy-lin-new-york-knicksBradley Woodrum2012-02-16T07:54:40-07:002012-02-16T07:54:40-07:00J.R. Smith Rumors: Magic GM Otis Smith Says Orlando Isn't Interested, According To Report
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<p><a href="https://www.denverstiffs.com/">Denver Nuggets</a> free agent <span>J.R. Smith</span> has been making the rounds trying to find his next landing spot in the NBA, and has already tweeted out a list of preferred destinations on his <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/TheRealJRSmith" target="_blank">Twitter page</a>: "NYK? LAL? LAC? CHI? ORL? iNDI?" He has spoken with <a href="http://denver.sbnation.com/denver-nuggets/2012/2/15/2799750/jr-smith-rumors-los-angeles-lakers-mike-brown/in/2188249" target="_blank">Mike Brown of the L.A. Lakers</a> and <a href="http://espn.go.com/los-angeles/nba/story/_/id/7580586/source-los-angeles-clippers-new-york-knicks-frontrunners-jr-smith" target="_blank">Vinny Del Negro of the L.A. Clippers</a> already, but it appears that the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.orlandopinstripedpost.com/">Orlando Magic</a> can be crossed off the list.<a target="_blank" href="http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/nba-all-star-game-orlando-2012/os-orlando-magic-news-0216-20120215,0,3545158.story"> The <i>Orlando Sentinel </i>reports</a> that GM Otis Smith has indicated that the team is not interested in adding the mercurial guard to the mix.</p>
<p>With Orlando seemingly off the table, it appears that the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.clipsnation.com/">Clippers</a>, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.silverscreenandroll.com/">Lakers</a> and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.postingandtoasting.com/">Knicks</a> are emerging as the favorites to obtain Smith's services. The 26 year old shooting guard has a career average of 12.5 points per game and shoots 37.1 percent from beyond the arc.</p>
<p><i>Stay tuned to <a href="http://denver.sbnation.com/">SB Nation Denver</a> for more information, and for in-depth analysis on the<a href="http://denver.sbnation.com/denver-nuggets/2011/12/nba/teams/denver-nuggets" target="_blank">Denver Nuggets</a> be sure to visit Denver Stiffs. Visit <a href="http://sbnation.com/nba/" target="_blank">SB Nation NBA</a> for more news and notes around the league.</i></p>
https://denver.sbnation.com/denver-nuggets/2012/2/16/2802141/jr-smith-rumors-orlando-magic-not-interested-gm-otis-smithSteve von Horn2012-02-15T08:28:12-07:002012-02-15T08:28:12-07:00J.R. Smith Rumors: Lakers' Mike Brown Confirms He Spoke With Free Agent Guard
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<p><span>J.R. Smith's</span> return to the NBA is close at hand with his season in the Chinese Basketball Association ending on Wednesday. On Tuesday, Smith tweeted that he spoke with <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.silverscreenandroll.com/">Los Angeles Lakers</a>' head coach <span>Mike Brown</span>, which <a target="_blank" href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1516590&xs=1&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.usatoday.com%2Fsports%2Fbasketball%2Fnba%2Fstory%2F2012-02-13%2Fjr-smith-gilbert-arenas-talking-to-lakers%2F53099024%2F1&referrer=sbnation.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fdenver.sbnation.com%2Fdenver-nuggets%2F2012%2F2%2F15%2F2799750%2Fjr-smith-rumors-los-angeles-lakers-mike-brown" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener">was later confirmed by the coach himself</a>.</p>
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<p>Just had a great talk with Coach Brown!</p>
— JR Smith (@TheRealJRSmith) <a href="https://twitter.com/TheRealJRSmith/status/169533412162535424" data-datetime="2012-02-14T21:28:09+00:00">February 14, 2012</a>
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<p>The Lakers are one of several teams that are vying to pick up the former <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.denverstiffs.com/">Denver Nuggets</a> guard. Smith does have his finalists appear on the top of his <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/#!/TheRealJRSmith">Twitter page</a>: "<span class="location">NYK? LAL? LAC? CHI? ORL? iNDI?" The two Los Angeles teams appear to be front-runners. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.clipsnation.com/">Clippers</a> guard <span>Chris Paul</span> has been lobbying for Smith, and the conversation between Brown and Smith could make this tough fight between the two teams. </span></p>
<p>The Nuggets moved on from Smith by re-signing <span>Arron Afflalo</span> and trading for <span>Corey Brewer</span> and <span>Rudy Fernandez</span>.</p>
<p><i>Stay tuned to <a href="http://denver.sbnation.com/">SB Nation Denver</a> for more information, and for in-depth analysis on the<a target="_blank" href="http://denver.sbnation.com/denver-nuggets/2011/12/nba/teams/denver-nuggets"> Denver Nuggets</a> be sure to visit Denver Stiffs. Visit <a target="_blank" href="http://sbnation.com/nba/">SB Nation NBA</a> for more news and notes around the league.</i></p>
https://denver.sbnation.com/denver-nuggets/2012/2/15/2799750/jr-smith-rumors-los-angeles-lakers-mike-brownRuss Oates2012-02-14T08:50:03-07:002012-02-14T08:50:03-07:00J.R. Smith Rumors: Chris Paul Thinks Clippers Favorite For Guard; Pacers' Interest Cools
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<p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.denverstiffs.com/">Denver Nuggets</a> free agent <span>J.R. Smith</span> is just days away from returning to the NBA, but, unlike former teammate <span>Kenyon Martin</span>, he has yet to make a decision on his future team. It's not going to be with the Nuggets, as we've long known. But Martin might not be alone when he joins the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.clipsnation.com/">Los Angeles Clippers</a>. Smith is a target of the Clippers, and superstar <span>Chris Paul</span> wants to have Smith with him, as <a href="http://espn.go.com/los-angeles/nba/story/_/id/7573563/chris-paul-says-los-angeles-clippers-chances-inking-jr-smith-very-high">reported by ESPN Marc Stein</a>.</p>
<p>If Smith signs with the Clippers, Los Angeles would have three former Nuggets this season with <span>Chauncey Billups</span> being the third player. However, he injured his Achilles and is out for the remainder of the season.</p>
<p>One team's interest that has died down has been the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.indycornrows.com/">Indiana Pacers</a>, according to <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/#!/MikeWellsNBA/status/169412016321200132">Mike Wells of Indianapolis Stars</a>.</p>
<p><i>Stay tuned to <a href="http://denver.sbnation.com/">SB Nation Denver</a> for more information, and for in-depth analysis on the<a target="_blank" href="http://denver.sbnation.com/denver-nuggets/2011/12/nba/teams/denver-nuggets"> Denver Nuggets</a> be sure to visit Denver Stiffs. Visit <a target="_blank" href="http://sbnation.com/nba/">SB Nation NBA</a> for more news and notes around the league.</i></p>
https://denver.sbnation.com/denver-nuggets/2012/2/14/2797479/jr-smith-rumors-los-angeles-clippers-indiana-pacersRuss Oates