The Los Angeles Lakers are expected to give a workout to one-time NBA champion shooting guard JR Smith, according to the The New York Times' Marc Stein, following an uneventful trade deadline on Thursday for the purple and gold:
The Lakers are expected to give free agent guard JR Smith a post-trade deadline audition (perhaps as soon as next week) and remain favorites to sign Darren Collison if Collison elects to make a comeback to the NBA — in addition to potential pickups on the buyout market
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) February 6, 2020
The Lakers, sitting atop the Western Conference standings, looked to augment their perimeter game by possibly trading for New York Knicks forward Marcus Morris. However, their Staples Center rival Los Angeles Clippers snagged the Knicks stretch 4.
L.A. will look to give Smith, 34, a chance at a roster spot. Smith has ties to star forward LeBron James after they won the 2016 NBA championship with the Cleveland Cavaliers. Smith has been a free agent since the summer after the Cavs finally waived the former Sixth Man of the Year. Smith last played at the beginning of the 2018-19 season and has been sitting patiently looking for a new professional basketball home.
Stein also reports the Lakers as the favorite for Darren Collison. Collison, 32, another free agent, retired in the summer after 10 years in the NBA. It's expected that he'll give a considerable look at the competitive Lakers, assuming he indeed comes out of a short retirement.
The Lakers also did not trade third-year forward Kyle Kuzma, who has not fit well with Anthony Davis on the roster. The Sacramento Kings were one interested trade suitor, and later the Knicks were mentioned.
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