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

Rockets' Jabari Smith Jr. Gets Slighted, Misses Top-100 Cut

To date, Jabari Smith Jr. hasn't quite lived up to his hype, based purely on draft positioning. Smith fell to the Rockets third overall but was expected to be the top overall pick in his draft class, up until the waning moments leading up to the draft.

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Jabari Smith Jr. Has Found the Perfect Role Within the Rockets

In terms of purely evaluating a player based on their draft position, Jabari Smith Jr. hasn't been the player people expected. The third overall pick is usually slotted for a potential franchise star.

Where Duke Basketball Stands in Jordan Smith Jr. Sweepstakes

A No. 5 national ranking in a recruiting cycle, where the Blue Devils currently sit with their 2026 efforts, is actually a bit subpar for Duke basketball head coach Jon Scheyer and his staff.

Houston Rockets News / Houston Rockets on SI / November 25

Jabari Smith Jr. Is More Important To The Rockets Than Some Realize

When NBA followers discuss the Houston Rockets' chances at a deep postseason run, they understandably focus on the performance of the team's top players: Kevin Durant, Alperen Sengun, and Amen Thompson.

Cade Cunningham News / Yardbarker Quizzes

The 'Last 40-point game by NBA franchise' quiz

How many of the players to score at least 40 points in a game for each NBA team can you name in five minutes?

The 'Active 50-point NBA games' quiz

The 'Most 15-rebound triple-doubles in NBA history' quiz

The '30-piont, 20-rebound NBA playoff games' quiz

Houston Rockets News / The Dream Shake / November 24

Rockets Contend With Phoenix Rising From The Ashes, A Little

Location: Mortgage Matchup Center, Really, Seriously, Mortgage Matchup? Phoenix, AZ TV: Space City Sports Network Radio:KBME Sports Talk 790 Online: Rockets App Gametime: 8:30 PM CST Rockets: Reed Sheppard, A.

NBA News / Yardbarker

Who is the most-iconic player for every NBA franchise?

Who is the best player in the history of every NBA franchise? That’s a tough question. Who is the most iconic player in the history of every NBA franchise?

Houston Rockets News / Bleacher Report / November 22

Watch: Jokic dunks over 2 Rockets

NBA News / NBA Analysis Network / November 21

JR Smith’s 2014 Knicks confession explains his viral 2018 NBA Finals moment with LeBron James

Former NBA player JR Smith struggled with Phil Jackson’s proven offensive technique. JR Smith became one of the best bench players in the NBA during his five-year stint with the Denver Nuggets from 2006 to 2011.

NBA News / Larry Brown Sports / November 19

Jabari Smith Jr, Nae’Qwan Tomlin have an altercation during game

The undrafted Nae’Qwan Tomlin managed to get under the skin of the former top-three pick Jabari Smith Jr. during Wednesday’s game. Tomlin and the Cleveland Cavaliers faced off against Smith and the Houston Rockets.

Dallas Mavericks News / ESPN / November 17

Pickups: Jabari Smith Jr., Naji Marshall, Ace Bailey jump out

Every week in fantasy basketball, there are available players who can help fill holes in your roster. Here are the ones to add for the week ahead.

Milwaukee Bucks News / Milwaukee Bucks on SI / November 16

Bucks Re-Signing Former Top Draft Pick to G League Team

The Milwaukee Bucks are bringing back a former top draft pick as part of their developmental system. Per longtime NBA insider Brandon "Scoop B" Robinson, the Bucks' G League squad, the Wisconsin Herd, will re-sign journeyman point guard Dennis Smith Jr., the former No.

Dallas Mavericks News / Scoop B / November 15

Dennis Smith Jr. to Join Wisconsin Herd

Point guard Dennis Smith Jr. is headed to the Wisconsin Herd, the G League affiliate of the Milwaukee Bucks per sources. The move comes shortly after the 27-year-old guard was waived by the Dallas Mavericks last month.

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

Marcus Smart was excited to see Nick Smith Jr.’s breakout performance

Nick Smith Jr. stepping up for the Lakers against the Blazers had all the makings of a feel-good Hollywood movie. The shorthanded Lakers relied on their two-way guy to play 27 minutes on the road and he delivered, scoring 25 points in the road win.

Click here to get Yardbarker's Quiz of the Day emailed to you!

The 'Most passing + rushing TD games in a season' quiz

The 'Last pair of 100-yard rushers by team' quiz

The '1,500-receiving-yard NFL seasons' quiz

The 'Five game-winning-drives in a season' quiz

Los Angeles Lakers News / Lakers Nation / November 4

Marcus Smart Happy For Nick Smith Jr. After Big Performance

Nick Smith Jr. was tasked with playing a massive role on Monday night against the Portland Trail Blazers. With Luka Doncic, LeBron James and Austin Reaves all out, the Los Angeles Lakers were down to only Smith, Bronny James Jr.

Los Angeles Lakers News / Lakers Nation / November 4

Nick Smith Jr. Came Up Big For Lakers Against Trail Blazers Despite Battling Illness

The Los Angeles Lakers have developed a reputation for rehabbing players’ values and their latest reclamation project appears to be Nick Smith Jr. The Lakers signed Smith to a two-way deal in free agency after he was waived by the Charlotte Hornets, a surprising move considering he was a first-round pick just two years ago.

Los Angeles Lakers News / NBA on ClutchPoints / November 4

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.

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.

NBA News / Hoops Rumors / September 29

Nick Smith Jr. Signs Two-Way Deal With Lakers

The Lakers have added Nick Smith Jr. on a two-way contract, the team announced in a press release (Twitter link via Khobi Price of the Orange County Register.

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.

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.