Denver Nuggets: 3 reasons why J.R. Smith would be a great signing

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LOS ANGELES, CA – MAY 19: (M) Carmelo Anthony #15 of the Denver Nuggets talks with his teammates in the second half against the Los Angeles Lakers in Game One of the Western Conference Finals during the 2009 NBA Playoffs at Staples Center on May 19, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) /

The Denver Nuggets would be wise to explore the return of J.R. Smith.

With the Denver Nuggets’ issues on the perimeter — both offensively and defensively — needing to be addressed prior to the 2020-21 season, the Mile High City could see the return of one of the league’s most fascinating players: 16-year veteran J.R. Smith.

A Brief Overview Of His First Stint

Smith, now 35-years-old, played for the Nuggets from the 2006-07 to the 2010-11 season. Arriving in Denver via trade, the former first-round pick played alongside an ever-changing mix of fan favorites and stars that included Nene Hilario, Andre Miller, Allen Iverson, Marcus Camby, Chauncey Billups, Danilo Gallinari and Carmelo Anthony.

Over the course of those five seasons, Smith averaged 13.7 points, 3.1 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.0 steal in 24.7 minutes per game, shooting 43.8% from the field and 38.2% from 3-point range. He’s never been more efficient for any of the five franchises he’s played for than he was for Denver and his scoring and rebounding averages were the second-best of any team he’s played for.

With that noted, though ‘J.R. Swish’ was far from the sole or main reason for it, that stretch was the third-best in Nuggets’ franchise history. Denver had five consecutive playoff appearances, including a trip to the Western Conference Finals, in what would become the middle of a 10-year playoff run.

Here’s what Smith would bring to the Nuggets.