Lakers Rumors: J.R. Smith close to finalizing a deal to sign

Recent Lakers rumors are that the team is close to finalizing a deal that would bring on J.R. Smith for the rest of the season.

As we get closer to the Los Angeles Lakers heading to Orlando, recent rumors have been about who the team will be bringing in to replace Avery Bradley.

Due to the coronavirus, Avery Bradley has elected to opt-out of the rest of the season because his son is at a high-risk of the virus.

While they have played well without Bradley this season, it is hard to say that they are better off without him. Bradley has been a starter for most of the season and one of the best defenders on the team.

Come playoff time, the Lakers will miss Bradley’s experience and ability to cover some of the best guards in the league. While they can’t replace what he does on the defensive end, they can replace him with a good player.

According to Adrian Wojnarowski, the Lakers are close to finalizing a deal that will bring J.R. Smith to the Lakers for the rest of the season.

Shortly after Bradly decided to opt-out, Smith was a name linked to Los Angeles. With his experience in the playoffs and familiarity with LeBron James, Smith makes a lot of sense for the Lakers.

While it is impossible to know what his role is with the team as of now, Smith brings things to the team that can help. Being a strong defender and 3-point shooter is the quickest way to have success on a team with LeBron.

Even though Smith had a big gaffe in the playoffs a few seasons ago, he is a player that LeBron trusts in a big spot. With a deal seemingly almost done, the Lakers will be getting someone who knows what it takes to win in the playoffs. At worst, having an option like Smith off the bench just adds quality depth for the team.