It’s taken quite some time, but both J.R. Smith and Jamal Crawford have each found their way back onto an NBA roster.
On July 1, the Los Angeles Lakers announced that it had signed Smith as a replacement player for the conclusion of the 2019-20 season while Shams Charania of The Athletic broke the news of Crawford’s coming to terms with the Brooklyn Nets.
The Nets’ roster has been decimated. Aside from Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving being out due to injury, the team is also heading to Orlando without the services of Spencer Dinwiddie, Taurean Prince, DeAndre Jordan and Wilson Chandler.
Crawford gives them an experienced veteran who can play both backcourt positions.
Meanwhile, Smith will join the Lakers as a roster replacement for Avery Bradley, where he’ll join LeBron James in an attempt to win another championship together — Smith was a key player on the Cavaliers’ 2016 championship team
After Charania broke the news of Crawford’s signing, Thunder point guard and NBPA President Chris Paul tweeted out a congratulatory message to the two veterans.
“Maaan.. WELCOME BACK fellas @TheRealJRSmith @JCrossover love y’all boyz!! #Family,” Paul tweeted on Wednesday night.
Maaan.. WELCOME BACK fellas ✊🏾 @TheRealJRSmith @JCrossover love y’all boyz!! #Family pic.twitter.com/x0kR07xHL8
— Chris Paul (@CP3) July 9, 2020
Now on his fourth NBA team, Paul has had a lot of teammates over the course of what has been a productive 15-year career.
He and Smith were teammates for Paul’s rookie season as a member of the New Orleans/Oklahoma City Pelicans, while he and Crawford spent five seasons together as members of the Los Angeles Clippers.
Both players were on rosters last season, but Smith last played in a game in November 2018. Crawford, on the other hand, finished the season as a member of the Phoenix Suns. Although impressive in his role, Phoenix decided to not re-sign him.
Now, with Paul’s blessing, they’ll each have an opportunity to prove they’ve got something left in their respective tanks.