July 9, 2008 9:09 PM
San Antonio fades as possible J.R. Smith landing spot
By Chris Tomasson
When free agent Corey Maggette spurned the Spurs, it appeared to be good news for J.R. Smith. There was talk San Antonio might turn to the Nuggets restricted free-agent guard as a backup plan.
But the Spurs, after Maggette bolted to Golden State, instead decided on a sure thing. They agreed to sign Washington unrestricted free-agent guard Roger Mason Jr. to a two-year, $7.5 million contract.
So Smith continues to wait.
One wonders if it will be a long wait for Smith. The luxury-tax strapped Nuggets don't figure to swoop in with a big deal for Smith, and he remains a risk for teams to sign.
The initial risk is that the Nuggets would match any reasonable offer, meaning a team would have to overpay Smith. And does a team really want to overpay for a player whose career has been marked by erratic incidents on and off the court, although Smith was a solid citizen while playing well at the end of last season?
Smith could end up an ideal candidate to take the one-year qualifying offer of $3.04 million and become an unrestricted free agent next summer. He could have an extra year to show he has matured, and, without being a restricted free agent, might find better offers.
In addition, the Nuggets next summer might be more willing to give Smith a bigger deal. Allen Iverson's $20.84 million contract comes off the books, and, if Iverson doesn't return, or re-signs for much less, Denver's luxury-tax situation won't be as bad.
But don't expect Smith to announce he's returning for the qualifying offer any time soon. If it happens, it most likely would be a September decision.
July 13, 2008
12:27 AM
Chris writes:
Actually from what I hear down here in San Antonio, we are still in talk with and can most likely with Berry gone match if not beat the 3 million being affered by the Nuggets.