Los Angeles Lakers Rumors: J.R. Smith unlikely to land with team

Recent Los Angeles Lakers rumors involve J.R. Smith, who is reportedly unlikely to join the purple and gold.

Despite free agency winding down, there have been plenty of Los Angeles Lakers rumors to still sift through. Los Angeles has an open roster spot remaining and there have been a number of players rumored that could take that spot.

If bought out, Kyle Korver and Andre Iguodala have been mentioned as possible candidates to fill the final roster spot. Another player to add to the mix is J.R. Smith.

Smith and the Cleveland Cavaliers parted ways this week, as Smith was waived before more of his contract became guaranteed.

Cleveland was working hard to trade Smith but was unable to find a team willing to take him on. As a result, he was waived and will now be looking to join a new team, presumably a contender.

The Lakers are one team that would fit the bill as a contender but they do not seem interested in bringing Smith on board.

According to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, the Lakers are an unlikely landing spot for Smith.

The connection to the Lakers was based on Smith’s time playing alongside LeBron James during his last tenure with the Cavaliers. Smith played well for stretches with the Cavaliers, but Smith’s blunder in Game 1 of the 2017 NBA Finals is what he will be remembered most for.

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Given the current landscape of the Lakers’ roster, it makes sense to avoid signing Smith. Los Angeles is deep at the shooting guard position, adding Danny Green, Avery Bradley, Troy Daniels, Zach Norvell Jr. and Talen Horton-Tucker to go with the re-signed Kentavious Caldwell-Pope.

Having a roster spot open also gives the Lakers some flexibility during the season. If they want to shuffle the roster a little, they can absorb two players for one to make it easier to match contracts.

Los Angeles could also get in on the buyout market with an open roster spot without having to worry about waiving a player. The buyout market was flush with helpful players last season and could be once again this year.

Passing on Smith makes sense for the Lakers. He won’t bring much to the court that they don’t already have on the roster and having the open roster spot gives the team flexibility, which is more important to have.