Report: J.R. Smith To Be LeBron James’ Future Lakers Teammate

ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski put an end to the rumors about Darren Collison and his arrival in Los Angeles. Wojnarowski tweeted that the veteran guard will stay retired. This should be enough for fans to stop talking about him and the Lakers. The man just wanted to watch a good game, that’s all. This doesn’t change the fact that the Lakers and Clippers had been courting the veteran. However, he told them that the “timing isn’t right for him.” This wasn’t the only rumor. We have to ask the question. Will J.R. Smith join LeBron and the Lakers?

Smith has a workout with the team, but this doesn’t guarantee a roster spot.

Two weeks ago, there was a story about the workout Smith got with the team. The source revealed that there are no guarantees. The Lakers probably wanted to see what Smith can do. “If it is a fit, we’ll take it from there.” Smith was supposed to have his workout, but Kobe Bryant’s crash happened and the whole thing was put on a hold.

JR Smith’s original Lakers workout was pushed back because of other factors surrounding the Lakers at the time. I was told that at Lakers/Sixers the day before a tragic day in #Lakernation.

Workout doesn’t guarantee roster spot.

My original report : https://t.co/0JioYRVb7H pic.twitter.com/H4Aojdfi0W

— ??Brandon ‘Scoop B’ Robinson, M.A. (@ScoopB) February 6, 2020

Collison is out for the season, and this leaves plenty of room for Smith.

Is J.R. Smith ready for LeBron and the Lakers?

Smith played his last game on November 19, 2018, against the Detroit Pistons. His Cleveland Cavaliers had a 2-13 record, and he had just minutes of action on the floor.

In the 2018-19 season, Smith played in 11 games as a Cavalier. The Cavaliers granted him a leave of absence after he expressed his dissatisfaction. During this period, they searched for a trade partner, but didn’t find one. Smith and his team reached a buyout agreement at the end.

Chris Sports from Yahoo Sports reported that the Lakers like Smith’s potential.

“Because I think they want to go into the season with the roster they have,” he said on the Scoop B Radio Podcast. “Check the first 10, 15 games, see how things are going, check the list of numbers and percentages and see what they lack before they decide what they’re gonna do.

“The only thing with J.R. is you have to see where he is mentally, if he’s gonna come in and behave like a model citizen. But, you can’t deny his skill-set, or that he’s one of the best catch and shoot players in the league; championship pedigree. He knows how to play at a high level. So, I actually thought he’d be gone by now.”

The New Orleans Hornets chose Smith as an 18^th pick in the 2004 NBA Draft. He averages 12.5 points per game and spent time with the Hornets, Denver Nuggets, New York Knicks and Cavaliers.

LeBron has an impact on team rosters, and coaches pay attention to what he has to say. What does he say about Smith’s arrival in Los Angeles? Let’s wait and find out.