[SA Express News] Brent Barry almost delt for JR Smith

WOW, that would have been a GREAT deal for the Spurs. So JR Smith's value is so low now that he was almost delt for Brent Barry? I know JR and Byron Scott are feuding, but this guy is a heck of a talent, has incredible range on his 3pt shot and great athleticism. I would think a TON of teams would be trying to get him on the cheap this summer.
The Rockets could REALLY use someone like Smith on their team. Get to work CD!

####

http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/stories/MYSA022406.4D.BKNspurs.barry.1cfa7efd.html

Spurs' Barry nearly dealt to Hornets
Web Posted: 02/24/2006 12:00 AM CST
Johnny Ludden
Express-News Staff Writer

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The Spurs arrived Thursday evening with 13 players, one more, apparently, than with which they intended to depart San Antonio.

The Spurs nearly traded Brent Barry on Thursday afternoon in a multi-team deal that would have netted New Orleans guard J.R. Smith, two NBA sources said.

The deal was close enough to completion — one opposing team executive said he had heard it was done — that Spurs officials initially told Barry he might not need to board the team's charter flight here.

The deal unraveled near the league's 2 p.m. trade deadline, which was an hour before the Spurs were scheduled to depart. After Spurs coach Gregg Popovich told Barry the trade was dead, Barry accompanied the team here.

Barry has played sparingly this month since Manu Ginobili returned from the inactive list. Smith, 20, would have helped the Spurs get younger and more athletic on the perimeter, though the trade would have been made with the future more in mind than this season.

Smith was taken with the 18th overall pick in the 2004 draft but since has fallen out of favor with Hornets coach Byron Scott, who doesn't think the young guard has worked hard enough to improve.

Barry has two years remaining on his contract after this season.

 

Exactly, someone is going to get JR Smith on the "cheap" because NOK wants to move him so badly.