Report: J.R. Smith to work out with Lakers this week

The Los Angeles Lakers are expected to work out veteran guard J.R. Smith early this week, The Athletic’s Shams Charania reported early Monday morning. Smith has been linked to the Lakers for a few weeks now, possibly rejoining his former teammate LeBron James in Los Angeles. The Lakers could use some more depth for their title push and have a roster spot available to be filled.

If we take a look at the Lakers depth chart, they don’t really have a strong fifth guard option behind James, Rajon Rondo, Avery Bradley and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. Danny Green can play the 2 and 3. Bringing in Smith to be another shooting option that can spread the floor for LeBron and AD wouldn’t be bad.

I’m not sure Smith has any significant fantasy basketball value in a potential return. He’d be deep on the depth chart and we’d have to see what kind of minutes (if any) he’d be picking up. Smith also hasn’t played in the NBA since November 2019.