Has JR Smith’s decision to shun a player option with the Cleveland Cavaliers backfired?
With the new NBA season fast-approaching, the 29-year-old swingman has yet to sign with any ballclub. From the looks of it, there is only one team that has shown interest in him – the Cleveland Cavaliers.
It will be recalled that Smith opted out of his contract which would have assured him $6.4 million for the 2015-16 NBA season. The funny part of it all is that Smith wanted to return to the Cavs but obviously for bigger pay. Now it seems he may end up getting less if he holds true to his word that he wants to return to the Cavs next season.
With his salary, there are only two teams who could possibly sign him up – the Philadelphia 76ers and the Portland Trailblazers.
Smith did have talks with the Blazers but unfortunately it didn’t work out. The Sixers have not shown interest in the temperamental player.
The latest word is that the Cavs have reportedly offered Smith a contract worth a lot less than the $6.4 million contract. So now the Cavs are waiting on what Smith plans to do. Will he accept or continue to wade it out until a team does show interest.
One thing’s for sure, Smith cannot afford to hold out for long. If he does not accept the contract (no matter how low it may be), the Cavs could look for another shooter in the market. Aside from Smith, there is also Tristan Thompson that has yet to be re-signed though the belief is that he will likely accept a one-year offer.
As far as Smith’s position is concerned, the Cavs are also linked to possibly hooking up Jamal Crawford of the Los Angeles Clippers. Then one may never know if Ray Allen would suddenly decide to suit up for at least one season and take his place.
As can be seen, Smith may have little to none bargaining power for now. His dream of landing a lucrative multi-year deal may have to wait and his troublesome past isn’t helping his cause one bit to fulfill that dream.
Pondering on the money he lost, such is expected to become a bitter pill to swallow for Smith. But the reality of it all is that Smith put himself in his current situation.
He miscalculated his value and how other teams would become interested in him.
Right now, his options are to re-sign with the Cavs for smaller money or continue to wait for some team to offer him the salary he wants. As things stand now, Smith doesn’t seem to have pretty odds on the latter.
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