3. Sign J.R. Smith to a veteran’s minimum contract
This all depends on whether the former Cleveland Cavaliers veteran guard/forward J.R. Smith is willing to take a smaller contract with the Chicago Bulls than what he had beforehand. If Smith is willing to take a veteran’s minimum deal to get a slightly better situation and potentially get into the playoffs in the Eastern Conference, the Windy City could be a good landing spot.
Signing Smith would surely generate mixed reactions for Bulls fans, but this does make sense to a certain degree. The well known attitude problems that J.R. had in the past might not be the most beneficial. But you have to consider all options here when the Bulls are at such a shortage at the three spot.
Boylen and the Bulls need the added floor spacing that Smith would bring to the table. And he could help take pressure off the shoulders of Hutchison once he returns from injury and Valentine wouldn’t have the added burden. The 2016 NBA Champion and 2012-13 Sixth Man of the Year could help out the Bulls a lot.
JR Smith will have a free-agent meeting with the Bucks today in Milwaukee, league sources tell @TheAthleticNBA @Stadium. Bucks are searching for a wing shooter and both sides will have opportunity to sit down.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 18, 2019
The last real rumor that caught any traction for J.R. was when he had a meeting with the Milwaukee Bucks back in July, but nothing came of that. It doesn’t seem like he’ll land with LeBron James yet again with the Los Angeles Lakers this summer either. Most teams are maxed out. The Bulls could be another big market that J.R. could play in, though, if he’s willing to take a minimum deal for one year.