Nuggets Only Team To Show Interest In J.R. Smith

[KRAYZIE]

http://www.rockymountainnews.com/new...t-in-jr-smith/

J.R. Smith hasn't received much more interest this summer than J.R. Rider.

If the Nuggets had fears of some team swooping in to sign the restricted free-agent guard to a big offer sheet, they can breathe easier.

Smith was asked Friday if he'd heard this summer from any other teams.

"Not yet," he said.

Wait a minute. You haven't heard from any teams having interest in signing you?

"I haven't heard from anybody," he said.

Smith said he hasn't gotten an offer from the Nuggets, other than the option to return next season for the $3.04 million qualifying offer. He said it's too early to say whether he might take that offer, which would enable him to become an unrestricted free agent next summer.

"I'm not sure yet. I'd have to go over that with my people," said Smith, who said he plans to talk to his representatives "at the end of the month."

Taking the qualifying offer could end up being Smith's best option. He turned down a three-year extension offer in October worth about $10 million, and there have been no indications the Nuggets are willing to offer a lot more.

Even if Smith were to be offered a multiyear deal starting at $4 million, taking the qualifying offer could allow him to increase his value for next summer. With most teams seeking to contain costs, teams don't seem willing this summer to possibly overpay for a restricted free agent to prevent the offer sheet from being matched within the allowable seven days.

This is good news, maybe Denver won't have to pay him all that much after all. I really hope that the Nuggets try to give him a multi-year deal.

[Richie2k6]

Thank God he has a (wrong) 'thug' image, so no one wants him. But they don't know his true potential. Come back JR!

[shaoyut]

jr smith should get more minutes

[Im so nba'd out]

All that kid do is just come in for the last 6 mins and hief.What teams wants some 1 to come in and just go shooting crazy then play no D on the other end.If he not hiefing then that stupid mf camby just jacking up 20 footers for no reason.The nuggets are so bad...

[OneMoreSucka]

Originally Posted by Im so nba'd out

All that kid do is just come in for the last 6 mins and hief.What teams wants some 1 to come in and just go shooting crazy then play no D on the other end.If he not hiefing then that stupid mf camby just jacking up 20 footers for no reason.The nuggets are so bad...

I disagree. In the past, yes, that was his problem, but he's changed that which is why all of us agree he should get more minutes. He's not a ball stopper like melo, he draws fouls, gets to the bucket, and is a better passer than he gets credit for. And once he starts driving, that opens up his long range game where once he gets hot it's hard for him to cool down. And when he's hot, his defense tends to pick up as well, albeit he does gamble for steals often. I will, however, say that he does not make good decisions in crunch time, which we have seen more times than not.