The stars have aligned to create an opportunity for a LeBron James-J.R. Smith reunion on the Los Angeles Lakers.
Ahead of the June 24 opt-out deadline for players to decide whether they will join their teams in Orlando, Los Angeles Lakers guard Avery Bradley made the decision to opt-out out of concern for his family. This gives the Lakers the opportunity to sign someone else to replace him on their 15-man roster and according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the frontrunner to take that spot is J.R. Swish.
With Bradley gone, Smith will likely be asked to take on difficult assignments on the defensive end while also being asked to hit 3-pointers as he has done throughout his career. Smith is additional insurance on the Lakers roster, along with other recent signings Markieff Morris and Dion Waiters.
The loss of Bradley will hurt the Lakers on-ball defense, but that should also open up more playing time for Alex Caruso, who has been one of their best defensive players all season, as well as veteran point guard Rajon Rondo.
