Report: Celtics Have Interest In J.R. Smith

[Roy H.]

For a good price I would actually like it but like others I suspect this is all a smoke screen.

It's a lousy smokescreen since we don't have any cap space or roster space, and there's no great way to clear that space.

The article indicated we could offer him $9 MM, but I have no idea how that is possible? That has to be wrong right?

Yes. I think this is a rehashed "rumor", from before we signed Zeller. The Celts have no cap space.

[MJohnnyboy]

Even if the Celtics had the cap space, I wouldn't want him. Not after he did this.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KmzbZpdl6hI

[trickybilly]

Even if the Celtics had the cap space, I wouldn't want him. Not after he did this.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KmzbZpdl6hI

Love that ol' style never-forget style of Team Management.

Reminds me of the Jason Terry purchase. SToopid.

[Csfan1984]

Yup they had 9 million before resign of Zeller. Nothing to this one now. There is no cap space.

[Moranis]

For a good price I would actually like it but like others I suspect this is all a smoke screen.

It's a lousy smokescreen since we don't have any cap space or roster space, and there's no great way to clear that space.

Boston is barely over the cap, so basically any trade will clear cap space.  So if you took that ridiculous Clippers rumor and modified it slightly you could create about 9 million in cap space and end up with Jordan and Smith and an extra roster spot or two.

LA - Johnson, Crowder, Jerekbo, Noel
PHI - Smart, Young, Hunter
BOS - Jordan

then sign Smith for the 9ish million in cap space created

PG - Thomas, Rozer, Jackson
SG - Bradley, Green
SF - Smith, Brown
PF - Horford, Olynyk, Mickey, Bentil
C - Jordan, Zeller

Still have 2 roster spots left to add some vets on minimum or the room exception and allow Jackson, Mickey, and Bentil to play in the DLeague.

Now I'm not sure I'd do that trade, but that would be an example of how Boston could theoretically upgrade and create enough space to both sign Smith and allow him to start.  All that said, Cleveland has offered Smith more than 10 million so I'm not sure why he would leave a better team for less money.

[fubar089]

no. just no.

[mmmmm]

This makes me think the Celtics are not too bullish on giving Brown many minutes.

It will be a total bummer if Brown ends up riding the pine.

This shouldn't make you think any such thoughts, since this 'report' is almost certainly nothing but made-up nonsense put out there by Smith's agent for negotiating leverage purposes.

I wouldn't put it past Ainge to leak out a very weak, unsubstantiated 'confirmation' of Celtics 'interest' - purely to help prop up Smith's price to Cleveland, but I doubt seriously that there is any chance above 0.000000000000001 % that the Celtics are really interested in Smith.

[Big333223]

Smith's Agent using the C's as leverage on Cavs contract....he aint coming here.

That was my take on it

Yeah, there's no way. The C's have to cut players, not take on more contracts.

Would he even be better than Gerald Green? Not happening.

Good point look at contracts and what gerald green would add compared to jr smith.

Obviously we like Green's contract but Smith is starter and key contributor on the championship team.  Green tends to warm the bench on most decent teams that he is on.  There is a big difference in quality of play between the two players.

That's true, but Smith is 31, wants big money and a starting role. He can't get either as a Celtic and if the only role for him on this team is as a bench scorer, then I don't know that what he'll actually be able to bring to the court will be all that much different than what we'll get from Green, even though I agree Smith is the better player, comfortably.

[trickybilly]

He would complete our boring common-last-name 5-man rotation.

Thomas
Smith
Green
Brown
Johnson

Young as the 6th man.

[Rosco917]

pass...

[TrueFan]

This makes me think the Celtics are not too bullish on giving Brown many minutes.

It will be a total bummer if Brown ends up riding the pine.

This shouldn't make you think any such thoughts, since this 'report' is almost certainly nothing but made-up nonsense put out there by Smith's agent for negotiating leverage purposes.

I wouldn't put it past Ainge to leak out a very weak, unsubstantiated 'confirmation' of Celtics 'interest' - purely to help prop up Smith's price to Cleveland, but I doubt seriously that there is any chance above 0.000000000000001 % that the Celtics are really interested in Smith.

I really want Brown to be NBA ready but I have some doubts after watching a couple games in person. It's all on Stevens and if he wants to give Brown the chance to develop at the expense of the teams well being.

[jpotter33]

http://www.hoopsrumors.com/2016/10/steins-latest-extensions-jazz-cavs-j-r-smith.html

Stein is reporting that our rumored interest in Smith is real. He says it's only a matter of time of JR looking elsewhere if the Cavs don't budge on the contract, and in that case Boston would look at moving guys to fit him.

I'm not as opposed to this as some are here. Most likely this would just be a one year deal, and he'd try for a more permanent contract next summer somewhere. He'd also bring instant offense and shooting to our second unit, while also weakening the Cavs.

The only issue would be creating the space for him. I'd move Zeller in a heartbeat for him, but he can't be moved until December. I'm not sure I'd move any of our other sizable contracts for him, though.

The Cavs will probably budge in the end, because they really need him. However, it is something to keep an eye on.

[Evantime34]

http://www.hoopsrumors.com/2016/10/steins-latest-extensions-jazz-cavs-j-r-smith.html

Stein is reporting that our rumored interest in Smith is real. He says it's only a matter of time of JR looking elsewhere if the Cavs don't budge on the contract, and in that case Boston would look at moving guys to fit him.

I'm not as opposed to this as some are here. Most likely this would just be a one year deal, and he'd try for a more permanent contract next summer somewhere. He'd also bring instant offense and shooting to our second unit, while also weakening the Cavs.

The only issue would be creating the space for him. I'd move Zeller in a heartbeat for him, but he can't be moved until December. I'm not sure I'd move any of our other sizable contracts for him, though.

The Cavs will probably budge in the end, because they really need him. However, it is something to keep an eye on.

I think there is one of two explanations for this. 1. Stein is being told this by JRs agent to try to put pressure on the Cavs. 2. The Celtics are trying to put pressure on their rivals by leaking these fake rumors.

Who are we going to trade to shed space? Amir Johnson and one of Hunter or Young seems like the most plausible. No way I'm giving up Amir, Hunter/Young and the pick it would cost to dump salary just to get JR Smith.

That's not to mention Smith almost certainly wants a multiple year deal which would kill our cap space in the future. Since the C's have stressed financial flexibility above all else in the pursuit of a star, not a chance the C's give up that flexibility for JR Smith.

[alldaboston]

Bulpett had something about it in the Herald too:

There is nothing to any rumors that the Celtics will wind up with free agent J.R. Smith. But they did speak to him last July. At that time, the C’s learned that Smith’s desire was to stay with Cleveland.

Even if he were deemed a fit now, the Celts would have to do too much roster gymnastics to make it work.

http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/celtics/2016/10/celtics_notebook_al_horford_lends_hand_in_open_court

[jpotter33]

http://www.hoopsrumors.com/2016/10/steins-latest-extensions-jazz-cavs-j-r-smith.html

Stein is reporting that our rumored interest in Smith is real. He says it's only a matter of time of JR looking elsewhere if the Cavs don't budge on the contract, and in that case Boston would look at moving guys to fit him.

I'm not as opposed to this as some are here. Most likely this would just be a one year deal, and he'd try for a more permanent contract next summer somewhere. He'd also bring instant offense and shooting to our second unit, while also weakening the Cavs.

The only issue would be creating the space for him. I'd move Zeller in a heartbeat for him, but he can't be moved until December. I'm not sure I'd move any of our other sizable contracts for him, though.

The Cavs will probably budge in the end, because they really need him. However, it is something to keep an eye on.

I think there is one of two explanations for this. 1. Stein is being told this by JRs agent to try to put pressure on the Cavs. 2. The Celtics are trying to put pressure on their rivals by leaking these fake rumors.

Who are we going to trade to shed space? Amir Johnson and one of Hunter or Young seems like the most plausible. No way I'm giving up Amir, Hunter/Young and the pick it would cost to dump salary just to get JR Smith.

That's not to mention Smith almost certainly wants a multiple year deal which would kill our cap space in the future. Since the C's have stressed financial flexibility above all else in the pursuit of a star, not a chance the C's give up that flexibility for JR Smith.

At this point, I would guess the rumors are real and he's threatening and really starting to consider looking at other teams. We're not that far from the season.

But as we both said, with as much as it would take to make room for him, i.e. losing Amir, it wouldn't be worth it. If just moving Zeller and one of Young or Hunter would do it, then I'd definitely go for him. But Zeller's new contract prevents that, which makes it overall not worth it.

I think Green provides comparable bench shooting and scoring at a much lower price anyways.