JR Smith is one of the few veteran free agents still waiting for a chance at an NBA job, and the 16-year swingman gave his best shot on Twitter during a day off for the league, asking if teams are in need of a three-and-D talent.
How many teams lack shooting an perimeter defense??
— JR Smith (@TheRealJRSmith) December 24, 2019
I was just asking for a friend…
— JR Smith (@TheRealJRSmith) December 24, 2019
It didn't take long for Smith to get roasted by a follower with the ultimate burn.
Idk but you provide neither
— Paolo Himothy Napolean James Banchero ENJOYER (@MarkelleMagic) December 24, 2019
Smith hasn't had a track record of being a good defender, mostly an absent-minded, unfocused one at best. Teams still haven't forgotten his shot-clock blunder against the Golden State Warriors in Game 1 of the 2018 NBA Finals — a mistake so big it could have cost the Cleveland Cavaliers the momentum in the series.
At best, Smith is a streaky shooter capable of catching fire, but that spark-plug attribute is the only one working in his favor, far from the three-and-D prototype most teams aim for.
Smith was limited to 41 games during the 2016-17 and started in 61 of 80 games in 2017-18, averaging a futile 8.3 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 1.8 assists through 28.1 minutes per game.
His last season (2018-19) was mired with disputes about playing time and his role with the Cavaliers after LeBron James' departure, one that resulted in the team holding onto him until the season and ultimately waived on July 15 after being unsuccessful trying to find a trade destination.
The 6-foot-6 guard is still a capable shooter, but teams aren't fooled about what they could get with him at his age, mostly looking at a spare-minutes filler on the wing.
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