So, picture this: it’s a random Tuesday night, and you’re scrolling through old NBA highlights on YouTube. You stumble on a clip from 2016, and there’s J.R. Smith, sinking a buzzer-beater for the Cavs, shirtless and beaming like a kid who just won a candy store. You pause, grin, and think to yourself: Wait, is this guy still in the league? It’s a fair question—one that pops up every few months, like a basketball-shaped ghost. Let’s settle the score, shall we?
The Short Answer: Nope, He’s Not In The NBA
Let me just rip the bandage off: J.R. Smith is not currently in the NBA. His last NBA game was way back in the 2019-2020 season, wearing a Los Angeles Lakers jersey during the bubble in Orlando. The Bubble. You remember that weird, sci-fi version of basketball where players could hear their own sneakers squeak? That was J.R.’s final curtain call. Since then, he’s been a free agent, and frankly, it looks like he’s done with the league.
But hold on—don’t close the tab just yet. There’s a catch, and it’s a funny one. J.R. Smith didn’t retire with a tear-jerking press conference or a farewell tour. He just… vanished from the court, but popped up somewhere far more unexpected. He traded his sneakers for a golf cart, and I’m not joking.
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From The Court To The Fairway: J.R.’s Wild Career Shift
You ever seen a guy go from hitting threes to hitting birdies? In 2021, J.R. Smith enrolled at North Carolina A&T State University to play golf. Yeah, golf. He joined the college’s golf team, living out a second act that feels like a sitcom pitch. Imagine the dude who once forgot the score of an NBA Finals game now calculating par on a 18th hole. It’s surreal, but also kind of awesome.
He didn’t just dabble, either. J.R. actually competed for the Aggies, playing in tournaments and even posting some decent scores. The NCAA had to give him a special waiver because, you know, he’s a 35-year-old former NBA champion with a tattoo of himself shooting a basketball. Rules are rules. He’s now balancing college life with a side hustle of being a human meme, and honestly? I’m here for it.
NBA 365 days 365 stars - JR Smith - iNEWS
Why Did J.R. Leave The NBA? A Quick Trip Down Memory Lane
Let’s be real: J.R.’s NBA exit wasn’t exactly graceful. After helping the Cavs win that 2016 title, he became a journeyman. He had that infamous Game 1 brain fart in the 2018 Finals, grabbing a rebound with seconds left and dribbling out the clock while the Cavs trailed. Yikes. LeBron James just stared at him like, “Bro, why?” It became a cautionary tale about mental lapses, but J.R. shrugged it off with his trademark grin.
By 2020, the Lakers signed him as a veteran presence, but he barely played. In the bubble, he averaged 2.8 points in 16 games, and you could see the writing on the wall. The league got younger, faster, and more analytics-driven. J.R.’s game—a mix of heat-check jumpers and careless defense—just didn’t fit anymore. No hard feelings, just the cold math of roster construction.
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But here’s the thing: J.R. Smith is a legend of the “I can’t believe he did that” era. Remember when he unbuttoned an opponent’s shorts during a free throw? Or when he threw soup on an assistant coach? The man was chaos incarnate, and the NBA is a little blander without him. He’s like that eccentric uncle who shows up to Thanksgiving with fireworks and a llama—you never knew what you’d get, but it was never boring.
Could He Ever Make A Comeback?
Technically, J.R. is still just 38 years old (as of 2024). Some guys play into their 40s—think Vince Carter or Udonis Haslem. But J.R. hasn’t hinted at a return. He seems genuinely happy on the golf course, posting Instagram stories of his swings and college life. The NBA ship has sailed, and he’s the captain of a new vessel: a Callaway driver and a bag of Titleists. If he ever wanted a 10-day contract, some tanking team might bite, but let’s not hold our breath.
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Plus, there’s the ego factor. J.R. was never a guy who wanted to be a bench warmer on a losing team. He’s got a championship ring (two, actually—one with Cleveland, one with the Lakers as a bubble resident). Why tarnish that legacy with a sad final season? He’d rather be remembered for his iconic moments, like that shirtless shot or the “I’m sorry, LeBron” meme.
What’s J.R. Smith Up To Now? (Spoiler: It’s Wholesome)
These days, J.R. is all about that college experience. He’s studying, playing golf, and being a regular dude. He’s got a podcast too, “Get Off The Internet,” where he talks hoops and life with the same unhinged energy. He’s also a proud dad, often posting about his kids. In 2023, he gained attention for a heartwarming gesture: he drove his golf teammate to the airport at 5 a.m. because his teammate missed the bus. The guy who once forgot the score is now a responsible golf bro. Growth, baby.
So, to answer your burning question: Is J.R. Smith still in the NBA? No, he’s not. But he’s out there, somewhere on a green, sipping a Gatorade, and probably making a joke about a shank shot. And honestly, I think that’s a better finale than any one-and-done recall. The league moves on, but J.R. Smith will always be the guy who made us laugh, cringe, and love basketball just a little more. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to YouTube to watch that shirtless buzzer-beater one more time. You know you want to join me.
