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Milwaukee Bucks Rumors: J.R. Smith in Milwaukee for free agent meeting

By Adam McGee

CLEVELAND, OH - OCTOBER 21: JR Smith #5 of the Cleveland Cavaliers reacts after narrowly missing a half court shot during warms ups prior to the game against the Atlanta Hawks at Quicken Loans Arena on October 21, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. 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 Jason Miller/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH - OCTOBER 21: JR Smith #5 of the Cleveland Cavaliers reacts after narrowly missing a half court shot during warms ups prior to the game against the Atlanta Hawks at Quicken Loans Arena on October 21, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. 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 Jason Miller/Getty Images) /
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The Milwaukee Bucks are reportedly hosting veteran sharpshooter J.R. Smith for a free agent meeting in Milwaukee on Thursday.

With two roster spots left to fill, it appears as if the Milwaukee Bucks could be taking a step closer to filling one of those remaining vacancies.

According to a report from Shams Charania of The Athletic, the Bucks are meeting with J.R. Smith on Thursday about the possibility of playing in Milwaukee.

Prior to Charania’s reporting, buzz had already started to build about the possibility on social media as Smith was spotted arriving in Milwaukee.

https://twitter.com/TheRealKeithJr/status/1151881467020107776

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Smith sat out almost all of last season as he angled for a trade away from the Cleveland Cavaliers to a more competitive situation, and he finally got his wish as he was waived earlier in the week.

Hitting the open market, the 33-year-old Smith will likely be eager to make up for lost time on a team with a genuine chance to contend, and in that regard he and the Bucks could make for a suitable match for each other.

Smith has been involved in more than his fair share of troubles and controversies over the course of his NBA career to date, but the fact remains that he boasts real pedigree as a scorer and a shooter.

Both of those attributes could well have value to the Bucks as they seem to be attempting to replace Malcolm Brogdon by committee, and as a result, it’s certainly not a surprise that they would at least have a conversation with Smith about a potential deal.

Milwaukee is unable to offer more than the minimum for either of their remaining roster spots this season, and although there’s reason to have reservations about the prospect of signing Smith, it’s also undeniable that there aren’t many options of his caliber available to them at that price point.

Smith is a 37.3 percent career three-point shooter, and managed to knock down a high volume of shots in more of an off-ball role during his time alongside LeBron James in Cleveland. That would certainly offer up similarities to how he may find the experience of playing alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo.

It remains to be seen how the meeting between the Bucks and Smith will play out, and whether both sides will remain interested in an agreement after it, but it should be no real surprise that Smith and the Bucks have mutual interest.

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What a potential deal with Smith says about the Bucks’ chances of, or at least continued interest in, landing Kyle Korver is also an intriguing question, but it now seems like all the answers on how the Bucks will round out their roster will be forthcoming in the very near future.

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