According to various reports, including one by his own father, Rick, Brent Barry was almost traded away by the Spurs on Thursday afternoon. Some insiders indicate that another Spurs player was also discussed, but details could not be confirmed since the parties involved have remained tight-lipped regarding key details of the proceedings.

What is clear, is that the New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets were on the phone to various clubs looking for "a big man."

The trade, reportedly, would have sent Barry packing. The veteran Spurs guard earns $4.6 million this year and his contract expires after next season.

In exchange, former Hornets starting guard J.R. Smith would have ended up in a Spurs uniform. Smith's contract ends this season and calls for him to earn roughly $1.3 miliion.

The proposed trade fell apart when the deal could not be completed before Thursday's NBA trading deadline. In fact, the deal was only minutes away from happening.

The Hornets had to settle for another deal as they were able to get 6-foot-10 journeyman Marc Jackson, 6-8 small forward Linton Johnson and cash from the New Jersey Nets in exchange for Bostjan Nachbar.

Everyone involved in the talks was visibly disappointed soon after the 2 p.m. deadline according to insiders.

“We tried to get another deal done that we weren’t able to get done,” Scott said. “It went down to the last second, (and) we would have been pretty happy about it. We didn’t get it done, but our first priority was to get another big guy in here and we were able to accomplish that.”

Scott declined to give specifics of the deal that fell apart involving the Spurs, but he said the Hornets had entered discussions about 30 minutes before the deadline and with five minutes left, both teams were in agreement.

“We got it (to the league) five minutes after the clock and it was the league who said, ‘No deal.’” Scott said. “So it was squashed, and everybody in the room was a little disappointed. We were that close to really feeling pretty good about the whole thing.”

Smith, for one, was really looking forward to the change because a major rift has developed between him and Hornets Coach Byron Scott. Both acknowledged that they haven't been on speaking terms since early January. Scott demoted Smith in favor of Kirk Snyder in the starting lineup.

"I stop talking to people that don't listen," Scott said. "I'm not going to waste my breath. I've sat down with J.R. on numerous occasions and told him what he needed to do.

"If he chose not to, there is nothing I can do about that. I tell all our players what they need to do to improve. I have an open-door policy. There hasn't been one time that J.R. has come into my office and talked to me. Like I said, he's lying."

Scott said they have spoken only one time since January when Scott replaced him in the starting lineup after Smith called to ask if he was getting traded nearly two weeks ago.

"I said, 'No, we're not trying to trade you, but here's what you have to do, though,' " Scott said. "I don't understand what more you want. (He) comes in with five minutes left in practice (Monday in Indianapolis) and goes and sits down, and when we finish scrimmaging, (he) goes to shoot free throws, and he doesn't come to us and say 'Coach, I'm sorry that I overslept.' It's not acceptable."

Smith said he wasn't surprised when Scott did not play him in Wednesday night's loss to the Utah Jazz at the Ford Center, despite that backup guard Speedy Claxton was sidelined with a sprained left ankle.

"I wasn't surprised at all, because his ego is too big in order to put something petty aside and try to win the game," Smith said. "At this point, something has to be done; I'm not going to prosper from this situation. When you can't communicate with the head guy, something is wrong. I come in early, stay in late, and if that don't work, I don't know what will. So there is nothing for me to do. I've approached him (Scott) numerous times, tried to call, set up meetings -- no communication. Every team I've been on, I've always been friends with the head coach."

Smith completely anticipated that the trade was going to happen. But no deal occurred.

After the trade deadline passed, Scott said, "He (Smith) will be here. Like I said before, it isn't never going to be personal with me. But I would like for the man to start telling the truth, that he'd be honest not only with you guys (media) but also his self. That's to me is the bottom line."

The Hornets have looked to acquire a big man for several weeks, playing all season with an undersized frontcourt following their preseason trade of center Jamaal Magloire to the Milwaukee Bucks in exchange for small forward Desmond Mason.

The frontcourt became further depleted with Chris Andersen’s two-year suspension from the NBA for violating the league’s anti-drug policy then reserve forward Jackson Vroman broke his right wrist. The injury is expected to cause him to miss the rest of the season.

Interesting Infinite...

I didn't read much about that situation in NJ at the time.

Just did some reading, seems the whole team wanted him gone. A bit of a mutiny occurred there. I'm not saying that he is a bad coach, but I think there are more than a few skeletons in his closet. He has a big ego and seems to have a real nasty streak when challenged.

Anyhow, time will tell...

Now is a good time to buy up JR cards me thinks

Gary - I will ignore your pissy post, unless of course you can explain why you think JR has "no game" etc. Ridiculous comment really.

Scott is a Laker and will always be a Laker therefore you treat him with the upmost contempt

The ego seems to be the main problem like in NJ. At first he was touted as a players coach as most ex players are but after a while the success and acclaim he got went to his head even more. Hence the blow up with Kidd and co. I'm not at all surprised to read about the trouble. I can't see either JR or Scott backing down about anything.

Scott is a good assistant coach at best no more.

Guys will pout and not perform and its a eiter they go or he goes situation. Although most of the time the coach loses and is a scapegoat. So many coaches have paid for the player having power or a big contract. Not sure JR fits that bill yet though.

I didnt have the patience to read the entire article beause Im on my way out, but I wanted to post my thoughts.

There is just something about JR that rubs me the wrong way. Just look at some of his poses in his sports cards and you will know what I am talking about.

I'm not really sure who is to blame, probably both sides,

J.R. Smith has next to nothing outside of athleticism, dunking, and streaky 3 point shooting. He has no mid range game, poor handles, worse defense, very low bball IQ, cannot create for himself or others, does not board, and has bad shot selection.


Do not confuse athleticism with talent.

J.R. Smith has next to nothing outside of athleticism, dunking, and streaky 3 point shooting. He has no mid range game, poor handles, worse defense, very low bball IQ, cannot create for himself or others, does not board, and has bad shot selection.


Do not confuse athleticism with talent.

Look at him now...he is one of the more complete players in the league and now shoots 45%, which is VERY GOOD for someone at his position. He is one of the grittiest players in the league...and I wish all players played with the same heart and intensity that he does. His transformation goes to show you that players like JR can turn things around...sometimes its just a matter of growing up.

J.R. Smith has next to nothing outside of athleticism, dunking, and streaky 3 point shooting. He has no mid range game, poor handles, worse defense, very low bball IQ, cannot create for himself or others, does not board, and has bad shot selection.


Do not confuse athleticism with talent.