It's been 469 days since J.R. Smith last played in an NBA game.
It doesn't appear, however, that the former Cleveland Cavaliers guard is ready to call it a career.
According to Shams Charania of Yahoo Sports, the 34-year-old Smith will work out for the Los Angeles Lakers early this week. After waiving guard Troy Daniels on Sunday, the Lakers possess an open roster spot, which they will also work out former Cavs guard Dion Waiters before filling, according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski and Dave McMenamin.
Should Smith sign with Los Angeles, it would mark a reunion with LeBron James, who he played alongside in Cleveland from 2015-2018. In that span, the Cavs reached four consecutive NBA Finals, with each playing critical roles in Cleveland's Game 7 victory over the Golden State Warriors to win the 2016 NBA championship.
Despite his success in Cleveland, where he earned cult hero status for his 3-point prowess and playful personality, Smith's tenure with the Cavs came to a rocky end. After seeing his playing time fluctuate following James' departure to Los Angeles, Smith publically demanded a trade from Cleveland before he and the Cavs agreed to mutually part ways just 15 games into the 2018-19 season, with the former Sixth Man of the Year ultimately becoming a free agent at the end of the year.
Despite no longer being a member of the Cavs roster, Smith still returned to Northeast Ohio last summer when he played for Team Cleveland in the MLB Celebrity Soft Game during All-Star Weekend at Progressive Field. There, Smith removed his shirt prior to his first at-bat of the game, paying homage to the summer he spent celebrating the Cavs' 2016 championship.
"I don't think it's a farewell, because I'll always come back to Cleveland," he said at the game. "I'll always be welcome from the city. That's the most important thing to me, more than anything. I don't think this is a farewell, I think it's to be continued."
The Lakers currently lay claim to the best record in the Western Conference at 46-13.