J.R. Smith: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

Nick Smith Jr. looks like mini-JJ Redick after 3-point barrage

The Los Angeles Lakers grabbed an impressive, 123-115 win on the road against the Portland Trail Blazers on Monday, despite being extremely short-handed.

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The Quiz of the Day

Blazers’ Vaunted Defense Gets Outdone By Short-handed Lakers

Engrave the name “Nick Smith Jr.” on the notorious plaque of Blazer killers who have silenced the Moda Center over the years. Showing shades of Yogi Ferrell in 2017, this may be one of the most out-of-left-field entries on that plaque in some time.

Los Angeles Lakers News / ESPN / November 4

Smith delivers as latest unexpected hero for Lakers

Playing without Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, the Lakers won at Portland on Monday night behind a combined 57 points from starters Deandre Ayton and Rui Hachimura and an unexpected 25-point performance from reserve guard Nick Smith Jr.

Los Angeles Lakers News / Silver Screen & Roll / November 4

Nick Smith Jr. catches fire as Lakers stun Blazers on road

Despite the trio of Luka Dončić, Austin Reaves and LeBron James all being out with injury, the Lakers had one of the most memorable wins in recent years, knocking off the Blazers, 123-115.

Philadelphia 76ers News / Yardbarker Quizzes

The 'NBA 20-season club' quiz

How many of the 12 players in NBA history to see game action in at least 20 seasons can you name in five minutes?

The '2016 Team USA men's basketball' quiz

The 'NBA debut scoring leaders by NBA franchise' quiz

The 'NBA franchise 30-point-game leaders' quiz

Houston Rockets News / Houston Rockets on SI / October 28

Jabari Smith Jr. and Tari Eason Are X-Factors For The Rockets

The Houston Rockets finally earned their first win of the season with a dominant performance against the Brooklyn Nets. Houston performed well on both sides of the ball, taking control of the game with hot shooting and suffocating defense.

NBA News / Yardbarker

The 25 most notable one-time NBA All-Stars

The all-time list of NBA All-Stars is obviously long, and notably distinguished. However, there are some players — for various reasons — who the casual, or even most-dedicated, NBA fans can't recall having earned All-Star nods.

Houston Rockets News / Houston Rockets on SI / October 21

Rockets' Jabari Smith Jr. Ranks as NBA's Ninth-Best Fourth Option

Jabari Smith Jr. has been in and out of Rockets coach Ime Udoka’s lineups since Udoka's arrival in 2023. In Udoka’s first season in Houston, Smith was benched for Jeff Green for stretches of games. Unsurprising, as coaches tend to prefer veterans who are more established over young players who are more promising, but have unfilled potential.

Houston Rockets News / Sporting News / October 21

Rockets' Jabari Smith Jr. has more than height in common with Kevin Durant

This could be a cool combo this season in Houston.

Dallas Mavericks News / NBA on ClutchPoints / October 18

Mavericks sign 3 players before regular season begins

After waiving three players on Friday — including Dennis Smith Jr. — the Dallas Mavericks announced they signed three players on Saturday. Dallas signed center Jamarion Sharp, forward Matt Cross and guard Zhaire Smith as the regular season draws near.

Dallas Mavericks News / Hoops Wire / October 17

Mavericks waive Dennis Smith Jr, Dalano Banton, Jeremiah Robinson-Earl

The Mavericks have waived Dalano Banton, Jeremiah Robinson-Earl, and Dennis Smith Jr., the team announced. All three were on non-guaranteed training camp deals.

Houston Rockets News / Houston Rockets on SI / October 14

Rockets' Jabari Smith Jr. Tabbed as Potential Breakout Player

Houston Rockets general manager Rafael Stone has perfectly illustrated how to properly rebuild. The Rockets have hit on their draft picks, resulting in a roster filled with rising, up-and-comers.

Los Angeles Lakers News / Lakers Nation / October 1

It Didn’t Take Long For Nick Smith Jr. To Notice Difference Between Lakers & Hornets

Just before the start of training camp, the Los Angeles Lakers filled their final two-way spot by signing former first-round pick Nick Smith Jr. Smith was recently let go by the Charlotte Hornets after just two seasons with the team.

Charlotte Hornets News / Charlotte Hornets on SI / September 30

Nick Smith Jr's release shows an organizational change in Charlotte

Three years ago, Nick Smith Jr was the #1 ranked player on 24/7 Sports. Two years ago, Nick Smith Jr was a first round draft pick. Four days ago, Nick Smith Jr was waived by the Charlotte Hornets.

Los Angeles Lakers News / Total Apex Sports / September 30

Los Angeles Lakers Make Smart Move with Nick Smith Jr. Signing in The 2025 Offseason

The smell of opportunity hung thick in the air at the Los Angeles Lakers’ practice facility this week. While other teams scrambled to finalize their rosters, the Lakers quietly made one of the shrewdest moves of the offseason, inking former first-round pick Nick Smith Jr.

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The 'NFL Passing YPG leaders' quiz

The 'TDs from Josh Allen or Patrick Mahomes' quiz

The 'World Series single-game K leaders' quiz

The 'NFL passer rating leaders' quiz

Los Angeles Lakers News / Last Word On Sports / September 29

Lakers Add Young Sharpshooter on Two-Way Contract

The Lakers filled their final two-way contract spot ahead of Monday’s media day, bringing in 21-year-old guard Nick Smith Jr. The former first-round pick enters his third year in the league with plenty of potential as a three-level scorer.

NBA News / Lakers Nation / September 29

Lakers Sign Guard Nick Smith Jr. To Two-Way Contract

The Los Angeles Lakers have signed guard Nick Smith Jr. to a two-way contract. This is the final two-way spot the Lakers had to offer and Smith join Christian Koloko and Chris Manon on two-way deals.

Charlotte Hornets News / Charlotte Hornets on SI / September 26

The Nick Smith Jr 'era' in Charlotte was nothing but a pure disappointment

Nobody ever wants to admit they were wrong on a draft pick. In all of the fantasy football leagues I have participated in, I have continually whiffed on draft picks I thought were for sure going to hit.

NBA News / Last Word On Sports / September 26

Rockets Could Land Intriguing First-rounder For Key Backcourt Role

CHARLOTTE — The Hornets announced on Thursday that former first-round pick Nick Smith Jr. has been waived, as reported by Michael Scotto of HoopsHype.

Arkansas Razorbacks News / Arkansas Razorbacks on SI / September 25

Former Razorbacks' guard Nick Smith looking for new team after getting waived

In a move that on the surface seemed stunning, the Charlotte Hornets on Thursday waived their 2023 NBA Draft first round pick, Nick Smith Jr. A Jacksonville, Ark., native and former Arkansas Razorbacks star guard, Smith (6-3) started in 27 of the 60 games he played in for the Hornets in 2024-25.

Charlotte Hornets News / Fastbreak on SI / September 25

Top NBA Free Agent Guards After Hornets' Nick Smith Jr. Move

The Charlotte Hornets are cutting ties with the young veteran Nick Smith Jr. The move comes as a bit of a shock, considering he was just drafted by the Hornets during the first round of the 2023 NBA Draft.

NBA News / Last Word On Sports / September 19

Can Dennis Smith Jr. Complete NBA Comeback With Mavs?

It’s a tale that’s far from unique for Dennis Smith Jr., but there was once a time he was viewed as a potential franchise cornerstone. Hindsight being 20/20, it sounds unbelievable now.

Louisville Cardinals News / Louisville Cardinals on SI / September 16

Report: Five-Star '27 Wing Gabe Nesmith to Visit Louisville

The Louisville men's basketball program is continuing to get some of the top high school prospects in the country on campus for visits. Gabe Nesmith, a five-star prospect in the Class of 2027, is set to take an unofficial visit to the Cardinals later this fall, according to League Ready's Sam Kayser.

NBA News / Athlon Sports / September 3

Five-Star Jordan Smith Jr. Poised to Draw Elite Attention From Duke

Jordan Smith Jr., the 6-foot-2 shooting guard from Paul VI Catholic in Virginia, welcomed Duke head coach Jon Scheyer for an in-home visit Thursday, a source told Rivals Joe Tipton.

NBA News / Hoops Wire / May 9

JR Smith Admits He Cried When Knicks Traded Him To Cavs

The Cleveland Cavaliers acquired JR Smith and Iman Shumpert from the New York Knicks in January 2015. Smith and Shumpert helped the Cavaliers reach the 2015 NBA Finals, where LeBron James and Co.