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New Orleans Pelicans: 25 Best Players To Play For The Pelicans

By Phil Watson

Oct 23, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; A general view from the court during the second half of a game between the New Orleans Pelicans and the Miami Heat at the Smoothie King Center. The Pelicans defeated the Heat 93-90. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 23, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; A general view from the court during the second half of a game between the New Orleans Pelicans and the Miami Heat at the Smoothie King Center. The Pelicans defeated the Heat 93-90. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /
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DENVER - APRIL 13: J.R. Smith #23 of the New Orleans Hornets moves the ball against DerMarr Johnson #3 of the Denver Nuggets during the game on April 13, 2005 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado. The Nuggets won 116-102. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** J.R. Smith;DerMarr Johnson
DENVER – APRIL 13: J.R. Smith #23 of the New Orleans Hornets moves the ball against DerMarr Johnson #3 of the Denver Nuggets during the game on April 13, 2005 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado. The Nuggets won 116-102. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** J.R. Smith;DerMarr Johnson /

69. <strong>How acquired:</strong> 18th overall pick from Saint Benedict’s Prep Academy (Newark, N.J), 2004 NBA Draft.. SG. 2004-06. J.R. Smith. 25. player

J.R. Smith was a top-25 recruit coming out of Saint Benedict’s Prep Academy in Newark, N.J., and had committed to attend the University of North Carolina.

But that all changed when Smith opted to enter the NBA Draft after earning co-MVP honors at the McDonald’s All-American Game. The New Orleans Hornets took the young shooting guard with the 18th overall pick in the 2004 NBA Draft.

With a bad team, Smith was thrust into the thick of things right away, starting 56 games as a rookie–a rookie who was often overmatched.

In his second season with the Hornets–who were playing in Oklahoma City after Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans in August 2005–Smith was slowed by an ankle injury and played in only 55 games, starting 25.

New Orleans/Oklahoma City dealt the young guard to the Chicago Bulls in July 2006, sending along P.J. Brown as well in exchange for Tyson Chandler.

In two seasons with the Hornets, Smith averaged 9.2 points and 2.0 rebounds in 21.7 minutes per game, shooting .394/.316/.740. He does not appear on any of the team’s all-time lists.

He would not remain in Chicago long–six days after the deal with the Hornets, Smith was traded again, this time to the Denver Nuggets.

Smith was fifth in the NBA in 3-pointers in 2008-09 while with Denver.

A free agent after the 2010-11 season, Smith played in China before returning to the NBA with the New York Knicks in February 2012.

With the Knicks, Smith was named the Sixth Man of the Year in 2012-13.

In January 2015, he was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers as part of a three-team deal that included the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Smith signed a two-year, $10.3 million deal with the Cavs in September 2015.

He was part of the Cavaliers’ 2015-16 NBA championship squad, averaging 12.4 points, 2.8 rebounds and 1.1 steals in 30.7 minutes per game and shooting .415/.400/.634 for the season.

Smith opted of the second year of his deal in order to become a free agent. He remains unsigned for 2016-17.

He is 17th in NBA history with 1,679 three-pointers.

Next: Combo Forward Got A Fresh Start

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