Update: Um, nevermind. Chris McCosky spoke with Joe Dumars, who said no deal. Krista Jahnke confirms it. (Hat-tip: PistonsNation)
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DBB reader Zach sent me this note from A. Sherrod Blakely’s latest article:
The Denver Nuggets have discussed trading J.R. Smith to Detroit for Flip Murray. However, there are a couple of issues that make it unlikely the deal will be completed.
Detroit wants to include Ronald Dupree, which isn’t necessarily something the Nuggets want. In addition, there are some concerns on Detroit’s part about whether Smith, who has had his share of problems on and off the court, would be a good fit with their current roster.
In terms of talent, Detroit would win this trade in a landslide — nothing against Murray or Dupree, but Smith has jaw-dropping potential, both running the floor and shooting from long-distance. But as Blakely alludes, there are concerns both on and off the court.
On the court, he’s a bit of a gunner and he might not appreciate having such a limited role with the Pistons. Plus, he’s pretty much a straight-up shooting guard, whereas Murray can pitch in at point now and then. He’s had an up and down preseason, and George Karl has been riding him hard — I personally witnessed Karl complain about Smith’s decision-making ability to the media following last Sunday’s game.
Quick aside: Smith didn’t impress in the first game against the Pistons, scoring 13 (4-13 shooting, four turnovers, six fouls), but he put on a show in Wednesday’s game with 33 points (10-19 shooting, 10-15 from the line).
Off the court, there are red flags. I don’t know if he’s a problem in the locker room (no one but his teammates can answer that question), but he’s already had to apologize to his teammates once in training camp What for, exactly? No one seems willing to say. Plus, the kid needs a chauffeur. That’s not a joke, it’s a sad and tragic fact. Traffic accidents happen, but not nearly as much to people who are careful.
If the Pistons did acquire him, it’d be bad news for Arron Afflalo. So much for the youth movement, right? Well, Smith jumped directly from high school three years ago, where as Afflalo played four years in college. So Afflalo, who’s 22 years old, is actually a year older than Smith. (update: I just glanced at their ages on their ESPN profiles, but I should have checked the months: as pointed out in the comments below, J.R. was born in 11/85, Arron 10/85, so they’re the same age.)
If I had to guess, though, I’d say the chances of this trade are slim, especially since the Nuggets already have 10,000 players in camp and probably aren’t willing to do a 2-for-1. But bear in mind, this isn’t the first time Detroit has expressed an interest in Smith, so you never know what might happen.
This has been rebutted by McCosky in his blog
That’s what I get for jumping into a post without first checking my RSS reader — thanks for the blazing fast correction, PN.
I did the same thing.
I know that the trade rumor has already been refuted, but maybe there’s a seed planted to make a run at JR during the offseason seeing as this is the last year of his rookie contract. When I first saw JR in the McDonald’s All-American, I knew he was star quality. He still is. He struck me as having far more potential offensively than Stuckey (who I really like), like rarified air potential. Unfortunately, my buzz for JR has cooled since he appears to be make bad decisions both on and off court and Karl often has to take him to task. He has all the physical talents of an NBA star, but none of the mental needs. Maybe if he grows up this season, we look at him for next season. Otherwise, no harm done in this rumor being squashed. Also, I think the issue of him possibly not fitting with our style is a legitimate concern.
I got sweaty palms just thinking about JR and Sheed riding in a vehicle together
The problem with this trade is that JR thinks he is already a star. I saw him play in last years playoffs and its was all about him. He does not follow the game plan at all!!! He will start to cry when you see the first DNP next to his name in the box score or just got 6 or 7 mins in a game. he is a backup but he thinks he is a starter. It will be another Carlos Delfino only when he starts crying to the media he can’t use it got lost in translation excuse. Leave him in the mile high city!!!!!
We need to get JR because we always been in need of that Jamal Crawford (can score 20 at any given time and will get his when needed)type of guy. I understand that we want to play Aaron Aflalo but he’s not ready to be a consistent pro yet. I love the work he puts in daily but he needs a little more time to develope. Maybe a year or two. Could you imagine how good JR would be under the vetern influence we have on this team. He will be ok. Our bench could be Stucky, Smith, Maxiell, Hayes and Johnson. We need to take the chance because we have enough character guys. We can use another dog on the squad and what’s the difference in his off the court issues and Sheed’s on the court issues. If we can except his shit than why not JR Smith’s.
J.R. Smith would have been worth the risk. If we had the opportunity to get him for Flip Murray, we absolutely should have taken it. His presence would make our bench by far the best in the league, and we lose little if he goes bananas. Could you imagine a 2nd squad of Smith, Stuckey, McDyess, Maxiell and Johnson?
If Trade Talks were still Going: As long as he is not a problem in the Locker Room, i think he would be a great fit. I know Afflalo would be playing behind him but Afflalo could possibley find minutes at the SF and PG spots(dont forget hes a multi posistional player).
He’s never going to grow up, which is why Detroit should have dropped Dupree off the offer and just pulled the goddamn trigger.
Even if this kid sleeps in the Palace parking lot with a firearm and freaks out security one night, it’s absolutely worth having J.R. Smith for one year in trade for Flip Murray.
Who said we had to qualify some ridiculous offer for him after this year?
Also, as for the “youth movement,” Spellcheck and J.R. are literally the same age.
What I mean is, J.R.’s birth was in November of ‘85. Spell’s birth . . . October, of ‘85.
They’ll both be 22 by December.
Nice catch, Sauce — I should have looked at that more closely. I just glanced at their ages on ESPN.com the first time around w/o looking at months.
“Denver Nuggets guard J.R. Smith was suspended for the first three games of the regular season “for conduct detrimental to the team.” - AP
This guy is more talented than most of the guys on his team, in the league, but he’s such an idiot. What a fool. He’s starting to act (not even play) himself out of a big money contract that his talent alone would warrant. At least Dupree is a respectable (and well-liked) cheerleader.
not to mention J.R. Smith was involved in the Knicks/Nuggets incident last year and got suspended a few games. The Pistons don’t need this kind of player. I never heard about Pistons players getting arrested in the last several years. Let’s try to keep it that way without getting J.R.
Matt Watson - I do that too. Numbers play games in my head sometimes. They’re trickerationable.