J.R. Smith, removed from the Cavaliers‘ rotation for the time being, said today that he’d like to be traded, according to Joe Vardon of The Athletic and Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com (Twitter links).
After starting 61 of the 80 games he appeared in last season and averaging 28.1 minutes per contest for the Cavaliers, Smith has logged just 12.0 MPG in four games this season. The 33-year-old also already has multiple DNPs, including one on Tuesday in the team’s first game under new head coach Larry Drew.
A report this week indicated that Smith is no longer a part of the rotation in Cleveland, with the team focusing on developing some of its younger players. That report also indicated that the veteran guard was “upset” by the news and considered taking some time away from the club. Smith later denied that report, tweeting that the Cavs gave him the option of taking time away and he elected not to.
Still, it appears that Smith would welcome a move to another team, which doesn’t come as a surprise. After four straight trips to the NBA Finals alongside LeBron James, the 15-year veteran finds himself playing a limited role on a 1-6 team likely headed for the lottery.
Smith’s $14.72MM cap hit for 2018/19 won’t make him easy to move, but the structure of his deal could help boost his value. Although he’s under contract for one more season beyond 2018/19, his $15.68MM salary for 2019/20 is only partially guaranteed for $3.87MM. Because that contract was signed under the NBA’s previous Collective Bargaining Agreement, it could become an interesting trade chip next July, as we explained last week.
The Cavaliers are unlikely to embark on a full-fledged fire sale this early in the season, but we heard this week that they’re gauging the trade market for Kyle Korver, so it would make sense to take similar steps with Smith.
I think most players would lol
haha this just in: Larry Drew would like a trade!
Lol Larry Drew didn’t even want to be interim HC
Don’t worry Cleveland. Lebron will be back! That’s what he does, he leaves and then comes back
Philly would be a seamless fit.
Cleveland should b selling. Should of sold in the offseason. Love is hurt like always. JR, Korver, Thompson, Hill, Frye, and Love should all b readily available for expiring contracts, young players or picks. Doesn’t matter what. Just sell
The problem is that they need someone who will buy what they’re selling… though I think Korver holds value due to his 3pt shooting.
If Mozgov can be traded twice this off-season then trading Smith, Hill and Korver, who basically have 1 year deals since most of their money is non-guaranteed in 2019-20 then anyone can be traded. Their contracts are desirable just for matching trade salaries. NBA teams love expiring contracts. I don’t know if their GM is good enough to finesse those situations however. We’ll see.
My problem with the Cavs is that they are showing zero commitment to a plan. They had to know this team would struggle. You have a bunch of young kids who’ve never been starters in the NBA and a bunch of veterans held over from our championship caliber teams.
Either they should’ve embraced the suck and kicked of the rebuild last year OR give this year a real shot by giving Lue and this team at least half the season to see what they are made of. You can’t judge ANY team by 6 games. It’s so arbitrary. What if they were 2-4 in their first 6? Would they have still fired Lue? There are teams much better than the Cavs who have pretty awful records too.
I’ve defended Gilbert for the most part but this year it seems he’s lacking in leadership.
Just need to survive 5 seasons and then we will have Bronny with the number 1 pick and LBJ back for a year or two.
Breaking news: Cavs sign FA PG Larry Drew II to a guaranteed 1 year minimum salary deal
Kings
If they’re gonna trade for a head case again, he’s gonna have to be a good player at least. Hahahah
Trade him to the Lakers to reunite with LeBron.
Yeah as long as you take on dengs remaining salary lol
Pass ! He’s a scrub!
Saw this coming the moment it was reported the Cavs signed him to a long term deal years ago. One of the most inconsistent players of all time. Save for the one season he had for the Knicks.
J.R. is a better candidate to be waived when his contract is only guaranteed for $7mm next season.
Hill and Smith to the Suns for Ryan Anderson and TJ Warren
TJ Warren is much better than any of the other players in that trade, despite Phoenix’s need at PG
Naa. Anderson is guaranteed $16 mil in 2019-20. I doubt the Cavs want to take on more money.
Guaranteed for less than that.
Might be hard to deal him, even as a defacto expiring deal with the minimal guarantee next year.
Hill is guaranteed for $1mm next season, Korver for $6mm, and J.R. for $7mm.
I’m wrong. Hill is guaranteed $1mm, Korver $3.4mm, and J.R. $3.87mm.
Cleveland is a wasteland…but they’ll always have 2016.
Thumbs up from the buckeye state
Barely deserves a G League spot at this point.
JR, you meant you want to be “released” – nobody’s trading for you unless it’s for you semi-expiring contract (with the acquiring team likely releasing you).
Maybe he should start sitting out games and pouting like a baby like that dude with the dumb haircut.
I heard he can be fined for requesting. How bout Bultler why can’t he be fined for his request. Can somebody explain
Butler has never actually said publicly that he wants to be traded — his camp has just leaked like crazy while he has expressed his discontent in other ways.
Smith’s contract is worth about $9 million to a team trading for him under certain conditions… Regardless of Smith’s merit.
There’s no reason for him to stay on the Cavs. Lue kept him appeased but Lue is gone. He may have lasted except for Smith!