Clippers, Knicks in lead for Smith

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The San Antonio Spurs may be interested in J.R. Smith, who will be rescued from China soon, but, and this might surprise you, Smith is apparently interested in the bright lights of L.A. and New York.

ESPN LA is reporting that the Clippers are hot in pursuit of the J.R. Smith and that pursuit has only increased since Chauncey Billups went down for the season with an Achilles injury. 

“Like Billups did with recently-signed Kenyon Martin, point guard Chris Paul has taken a lead role in recruiting Smith, according to the source. The two are close from their two seasons as teammates with the Hornets. Also like Billups and Martin, who are both represented by agent Andy Miller, Paul and Smith both are represented by agent Leon Rose. That would seem like an advantage, except for the fact that Rose also represents New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony, who said this week he’d be happy to have his former Nuggets teammate join him in New York.”

If I were Smith I’d go play with Chris Paul in L.A. where I know there’s going to be a point guard to get me the ball and where I know I’m going to start.  Either way I don’t understand why the Spurs would waste money a guy like Smith, especially when you consider how crowded the back court is.  If he does go to the Clippers that would be pretty scary for the rest of the West.  Then again, that would be two crazy guys on one team with Vinny Del Negro as its coach.  I wish the Clippers were being followed for NBA TV’s The Association.