Nearly three weeks after he first confirmed that he’d welcome a trade out of Cleveland, J.R. Smith continues to seek a deal, having asked twice to be moved, according to Jason Lloyd of The Athletic. The veteran guard made it clear during a conversation with Lloyd that he doesn’t believe the Cavaliers are interested in winning, and doesn’t want to play for a team that’s not trying to win.
“I don’t think the goal is to win. The goal isn’t to go out there and try to get as many wins as you can,” Smith said. “I think the goal is to develop and lose to get lottery picks. I think that was always the plan.”
Asked if he’s interested in being part of the rebuilding process in Cleveland, Smith replied, “Not if the goal isn’t to compete, to win.”
The Cavaliers insisted throughout the offseason, even as LeBron James headed to Los Angeles, that they still believed they could compete in the Eastern Conference — if not for a spot in the Finals, then at least for a playoff berth. Shortly after the regular season got underway, the Cavs seemingly shifted gears and started to focus on developing young players like Collin Sexton and Cedi Osman. However, in the view of vets like Smith and George Hill, that was probably the plan even before the season started.
“I think it re-calibrated before Game 1 was even played,” Hill said of the club’s outlook for 2018/19. “In the summer, it felt like politically you have to say we can still do these things because you want everyone to buy in to being here. Once everybody is here, I don’t know. The directions change.”
While the Cavs would probably have just as much interest as Smith in a deal that sends him elsewhere, his contract – which includes a $14.72MM cap hit for this season – isn’t favorable, especially given his slow start (his 6.7 PPG and .342 FG% would be career lows). Lloyd suggests that if Smith were willing to surrender some of the guaranteed money left on his deal, a buyout would be an option, but the 33-year-old has refused to go down that road so far.
“I don’t want my legacy to be remembered like that in Cleveland,” Smith said of a buyout. “I don’t think that’s fair to the people I see every single day walking around the arena. I don’t think that’s fair to the trainers or equipment guys. … I just look at it differently than being traded. I don’t like the statement of getting bought out.”
The Cavs figure to continue exploring the trade market for Smith in the coming weeks and months. If they can’t find a suitable deal by the February 7 deadline, perhaps Smith would become more inclined to negotiate a buyout in an effort to join a contender.
Batum and MKG for JR and Hill
Why? Hill was only good in the contract year that netted him his current deal from a team that he did nothing for and barely lasted til the deadline. JR is garbage and no one really paid attention to it til “contract dad” lebron left. Cavs deserve nothing, especially after refusing to follow up with theyre understanding with Korver.
I don’t want to be here, however, I am not willing to forgo any salary to accommodate a buyout. Doesn’t sound like he wants out all that bad. I don’t get the logic of not accepting a buyout because of the people he sees everyday. It sounds like he doesn’t want to be in Cleveland but not as much as he likes getting $15 million to be a below average rotation player. I usually side with players, but in this case JR is being unreasonable.
JR justs wants the decision taken out of his hands so he don’t look as bad and he doesn’t have to give up any money. He should man up and take the buyout if he wants out so bad. What a joke. George Hill must be one of the most gullible players in the league because this is the second year in a row a team said they were trying to compete with garbage rosters and he bought in.
Fultz and a cheesesteak? As of today I’m done with this kid. I gave him the benefit of the doubt, saw the changed attitude, just done now.
When it’s all said and done, I see a buyout and a reunion with LeBron. LeBron is the only one who has faith in J.R.
I really don’t think the Lakers wanna give minutes to him though and he wants to play.
I’ll say NO to any JR to Lakers talk
We don’t want him
I’d trade THJ for him straight up.