<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">J.R. Smith, the sky-walking 20-year-old guard in his second season, could be one of the players traded by the Feb. 23 deadline. Yes, this is the same Smith who dazzled New Orleans last season with his dunks and long-range shooting, winning Western Conference rookie of the month honors three times. But Smith was inconsistent during the first two months of this season -- his first two months as a starter -- suffering through a horrid shooting slump in December. Smith averages 9.3 points per game and has led the team in scoring three times; last season he averaged 10.3 points and led the team in scoring 17 times. Since his Jan. 2 benching, he has played 10 or more minutes just four times. Said Smith earlier this month: "I put a lot of pressure on myself more last year than this year." Byron Scott, the Hornets' stern coach, does not tolerate complacency. Earlier in January, when asked about Smith's efforts, Scott said that NBA stands for "No Babies Allowed." And there's no caboose on Scott's train. Obviously, the Hornets have invested in Smith -- the No. 18 pick of the 2004 draft -- and want to see if he will pan out. He's still learning the pro game at a college age. But if Scott isn't going to play Smith -- or even have Smith in his rotation -- then the Hornets will have to consider trading Smith to get a player who can make an immediate impact.</div> Source: The Times-Picayune
For the few minutes he has been contributing, he seems to be doing alright. I think Byron Scott is tired of seeing him jack up shot after shot when he's just not hitting. And it was pretty much every game that he wasn't hitting shots. But now that he has been benched and is only seeing about 5-10min. per game, he has been doing alright from what I see. He maybe takes 2 or 3 shots, and he hits more than half of the shots he shoots. I think Scott is gradually working him back into the rotation, but doesn't have room in the rotation for chuckers. I personally see tons of talent in Smith. And he's still my favorite player besides Chris Paul.
Jerry West knows the story. (see above) Smith is a talent and is 3 years from even approaching his prime and he and Paul are friends.
They Hornets gave up there trade exception in the Steven Hunter deal. Depending if the deal ever gets passed or not it likely rules out any chance for the Hornets dealing JR Smith. Right now the Hornets have the luxury of not playing him with Snyder & Butler handling the wing position. Eventually they'll have to make a decision on some of these young players, but right now their goal is making the playoffs. You really have to like the direction this franchise is heading. They made key acquisitions to get them over the hump in the past week. Plus the fan support they are getting from Oklahoma City. With a lot of cap space over the summer, the Hornets might be able to add one or two more players to get them even closer to contending. Plus Brandon Bass and Maciej Lampe have some untapped potential.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting shapecity:</div><div class="quote_post">With a lot of cap space over the summer, the Hornets might be able to add one or two more players to get them even closer to contending. </div> What happens with Chris Andersen's salary? Does it just get wiped from their books? Either way, they've got a stack of room given PJ Brown and Des Mason are the only two who have anything more than rookie-level contracts. You'd imagine they'd have to give Speedy some coin to stick around, but him aside they've got a stack of free money to spend.
He'll be traded because, the Hornets will be a threat in a few years, amazing young team. I can't believe what happend to Andersen, he was a good player "The Birdman" . Anyways, with JR being traded the Rockets are trying to trade Derek Anderson and the Hornets could use some more Vet's.
Smith may have issues, but i can't see the Hornets giving such a talented and young player up for a hurt veteran who would be at the back of a long line of 2's.
