Who Will Give J.r. Shot?

Source: Clippers eyeing Smith, who spent season playing in China

February 14, 2012|DAILY NEWS WIRE REPORTS
  • Smith

THE LOS ANGELES Clippers are among the team interested in free-agent guard J.R. Smith, who will be eligible to return to the NBA tomorrow after his season with the Zhejiang Golden Bulls in China concludes, according to a report.

According to an ESPNLosAngeles.com report that cited a source with knowledge of the situation, the Clippers were interested in Smith even before a season-ending Achillies' injury to Chauncey Billups last week.

Smith joined Zhejiang during the NBA lockout and had to play an entire season in China because he did not have an opt-out clause.

According to the source, Clippers point guard Chris Paul is trying to persuade Smith, with whom he played in New Orleans, to come to Los Angeles.

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The New York Knicks are also believed to be interested in Smith, who has played seven NBA seasons, the last five with Denver.

Smith has not said which team he'd like to play for, but has tweeted fans of the Knicks, Heat, Lakers and Clippers.

 

Noteworthy * 

Chicago guard Derrick Rose saw a back specialist who confirmed MRI results that there is no structural damage, according to general manager Gar Forman.

Rose has missed the last two games with back spasms.

* Detroit veteran Ben Wallace said he will retire after this season to spend more time with his family. The 37-year-old Wallace decided to come back for 2011-12, his 16th season in the NBA. He's played a total of nine seasons with the Pistons (from 2000-06 and from 2009 until now). He's currently tied with Avery Johnson for the most games played (1,054) by an undrafted player since the NBA-ABA merger, and Wallace can break that mark tonight when the Pistons host the San Antonio Spurs. Avery, who retired after the 2003-04 season, also played 16 seasons.

* Cleveland rookie point guard Kyrie Irving, who missed two games with a concussion, did some noncontact work during practice and is closer to returning. He was injured after banging his head off Miami star Dwyane Wade's knee last Tuesday.

* New Jersey guard Keith Bogans has undergone ankle surgery and is expected to be fully recovered for training camp next season.

Bogans fractured his left ankle and tore his deltoid ligament during a Feb. 8 game at Detroit.

Bogans joined the Nets as a free agent a week before he was hurt.

 

In games last night * 

At Orlando, Jason Richardson scored 17 points, and Jameer Nelson and Hedo Turkoglu each added 14 as the Magic used a big second half to beat the Minnesota Timberwolves, 102-89.

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