Is Jr Smith Still in the NBA
J.R. Smith is not currently on an NBA roster as of the latest league transactions. He was last a regular NBA rotation player with the New York Knicks before the 2019-20 season ended. Since then, he has been a free agent and has not appeared in a regular season NBA game. His last NBA contract was a one-year veteran minimum deal with the Knicks for the 2018-19 season. He has not been signed, traded, or waived in any subsequent NBA transaction reported by trusted sources like ESPN and NBA.com J.R. Smith Player Page.
The question "is Jr Smith still in the NBA" typically refers to his active playing status rather than any formal league affiliation. He remains a former NBA player with a well-documented career history. His last on-court action was in the 2019 NBA Playoffs with the Knicks. He has not been listed on any active roster, two-way contract, or hardship exception since that time. His NBA tenure is now part of historical records maintained by the league and sports data platforms NBA Official Stats.
J.R. Smith NBA Career and Contract History
J.R. Smith entered the NBA in 2004 after being drafted 18th overall by the New Orleans Hornets. He has played for the Hornets, Denver Nuggets, New York Knicks, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Los Angeles Lakers. His career includes three NBA championships, two with the Cavaliers in 2016 and 2020, and one with the Lakers in 2020. He is known for his three-point shooting and defensive versatility during his peak years. His career averages include 12.6 points per game and 3.5 rebounds per game over 941 regular season appearances Basketball Reference J.R. Smith.
His most recent contract was a one-year, $2.6 million veteran minimum deal with the New York Knicks for the 2018-19 season. He later signed a one-year contract with the Cleveland Cavaliers for the 2019-20 season, which ended without a playoff appearance. He was not re-signed by the Cavaliers and has not received a new NBA contract since. His salary for the 2019-20 season was reported at $2.6 million by Spotrac Spotrac NBA Salary. He has not been part of any NBA salary cap or luxury tax calculations in recent seasons.
Current Status and Post-NBA Activity
J.R. Smith has not been assigned to any NBA G League team, summer league roster, or training camp invite since his last contract expired. He has not been suspended, fined, or investigated by the NBA in recent years. His public profile has shifted toward social media, business ventures, and media appearances. He remains active on platforms where he shares content related to basketball and personal interests. There are no reports of him pursuing a comeback with any NBA team as of the latest public statements and league transaction logs.
His career is often referenced in discussions about role players who won multiple championships but had a relatively short peak in the starting lineup. He is not currently ranked in any NBA positional rankings or prospect lists because he is not an active player. His legacy is tied to his shooting ability, playoff performances, and on-court intensity during his tenure with the Cavaliers and Knicks. The latest available data confirms he is