The Los Angeles Lakers finalized the signing of veteran shooting guard JR Smith on Wednesday, reuniting Smith with former Cleveland Cavaliers teammate LeBron James.
LeBron reacted to the news on Instagram, posting a story to welcome Smith to the Purple and Gold.
The news of Smith's signing is a culmination of months and months of rumors linking the veteran guard to the Lakers.
Los Angeles worked out both Smith and Dion Waiters at the beginning of March, eventually opting to sign Waiters shortly thereafter. However, Avery Bradley's decision to sit out the NBA restart in Orlando reopened the door for the Lakers.
It should not come as much of a surprise the Lakers quickly agreed to terms with Smith. Not only is there familiarity with LeBron, but there is also a link between Smith and NBA trainer Chris Johnson.
Johnson has put in work with a plethora of NBA players, but he had numerous sessions with Lakers veterans JaVale McGee and Rajon Rondo in the course of the last month.
Smith has essentially been out of the league for two years now. He started the 2018-19 season with the Cavs, but he played in just 11 games. Cleveland waived Smith after failing to find a trade partner, and he has remained unsigned all year.
While JR is not nearly the same caliber of defender as Bradley, he can provide some floor-spacing and should fill in nicely as a catch-and-shoot threat in the Lakers' offense.
LeBron James has given his stamp of approval as he and JR Smith will reunite in search of another NBA title.
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