NBA Rumors: J.R. Smith plans to opt out, sign new deal with Cavaliers

J.R. Smith will reportedly opt out of his deal and hopes to re-sign with the Cleveland Cavaliers.

J.R. Smith did not have a great first trip to the NBA Finals as a member of the Cleveland Cavaliers. In the six-game loss to the Golden State Warriors, Smith averaged just 11.5 points, one assist, and 4.3 rebounds per game while shooting an abysmally inefficient 31.2 percent from the floor and 29.4 percent from deep.

However, that apparently isn’t going to stop him for searching for more money this summer. ESPN’s Chris Broussard is reporting that Smith will “probably” opt out of the final year of his contract that would pay him $6.4 million next season. Chris Haynes of the Cleveland Plain Dealer is adding to that report by saying that Smith has every intention of returning to the Cavs next season.

Smith certainly revitalized his own career and the Cavs after being acquired in a trade from the New York Knicks in January that also landed Cleveland Iman Shumpert. Cleveland was just 19-16 on the season prior to acquiring Smith, but went 34-13 after the trade and obviously had a successful postseason run as well with Smith playing a big role in that.

Smith’s success in Cleveland as he emerged as a starter rather than being in the sixth man role that he filled in New York was evident. In 24 games with the Knicks, Smith shot just 40.2 percent from the floor and an average 35.6 percent from three, all while turning the ball over 1.9 times per game. In his 46 games with the Cavs, though, Smith improved his efficiency numbers to 42.5 percent shooting and 39 percent shooting from three while also limiting his turnovers to just 1.1 per game in six more minutes played per game than with the Knicks.

Smith’s individual success coupled with his impact on the Cavaliers’ season obviously has he and his agent believing that opting out of the final year of his contract will mean that Smith will sign a bigger deal. That depends on if the Cavs plan to open up their wallets in a big way this summer, though.

Assuming that things go as planned as far as keeping the core of the roster in tact, the Cavs’ cap total would already be just over $88.2 million if Smith didn’t opt out of his current deal. If he, and possibly LeBron James, opt out and sign new deals for more money, that figure is going to go even further over the NBA’s Luxury Tax Threshold of $81.6 million. With that salary and the tax penalties that would result from that, the Cavs would have to be ready to pay a great price for another run at a title with this roster.

Regardless of the Cavs’ plans, though, it seems for now that Smith is not going to be on this current contract next season. This summer will let us know what the Cavs’ plans are and whether or not those plans include giving more money to the capricious guard.

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