- Report: Bronny James receives offer from Memphis
- Shaquille O’Neal declares that Stephen Curry is ‘by far’ the best player in the world
- Report: LeBron has been assured that Lakers will deal 2027 and 2029 1st-rounders if trade returns them to contender status
- Brian Windhorst says his relationship with LeBron James isn’t what it used to be
- Phil Handy on Kyrie Irving: ‘Offensively, probably the most skilled player to ever put on basketball shoes’
- Report: LeBron James has been ‘privately adamant’ that Lakers still need to upgrade roster and trade for Kyrie Irving
- Video: Ben Simmons told he ‘can’t shoot’ after repeatedly being called Russell Westbrook
- Report: Rob Pelinka has been ‘very active’ in trying to improve Lakers roster in 2 specific areas
- Lakers announce date for Pau Gasol’s jersey retirement
- Report: LeBron James signs extension with Lakers that could keep him with team through 2024-25 season
LeBron James Endorses J.R. Smith as Lakers Look to Buyout Market
- Updated: February 20, 2020

The Los Angeles Lakers have been mum thus far in their search for a free agent, but help could be on the way.
In a Instagram post on Wednesday night, Lakers superstar forward LeBron James endorsed his former Cavs teammate, J.R. Smith, as a reliable scorer.
? Could the Lakers be close to signing @TheRealJRSmith ?
?: @KingJames (IG)#LakeShow #Lakers #NBA pic.twitter.com/cFr11R6LL3
— ShowtimeForum (@ShowtimeForum) February 20, 2020
The Lakers were expected to upgrade their roster prior to the trade deadline, but stood pat as they missed out on such candidates as Derrick Rose.
Quickly thereafter, the Lakers missed out on potential free agents Darren Collison, Marcus Morris and Reggie Jackson, with Morris and Jackson being obtained by the team’s Western Conference rival Los Angeles Clippers.
Smith is now 34 years old, but could still be a valuable contributor off the bench. The shooting guard has a career average of 12.5 points per game on 37.3 percent shooting from the field.