National Basketball Association

J.R. Smith to meet with Cavs this week

Published Jul. 21, 2015 10:15 a.m. ET

foxsports

by Josh Poloha

In what has been a quiet free agency for J.R. Smith, the guard said that he will meet with the Cavaliers later this week to discuss a new deal, in an interview with Joe Vardon of the Northeast Ohio Media Group.

When Smith declined his $6.4 million dollar player option for the 2015-16 season on June 26, he had the mindset that he could get more money in free agency, either from the Cavaliers or another team. Now, almost a month later, Smith is still on the free agent market and will most likely receive less money than his option would have paid him.

When asked about his gamble of declining the option possibly not working out for him, money-wise and if he regrets declining it, Smith said, “No because I’ve gotten offers that I wanted, I mean numbers that I wanted, it’s just different situations. Right now it’s just a matter of seeing what the Cavs come back to me with. Right now they give me the best opportunity to win.”

Also, the only big regret he has is the fact that he is still a free agent. When asked why he regrets his decision, Smith said, “just because I would be secure and I would already know I’m where I want to be. I wouldn’t have to go through this whole thought process anymore.”

The 29-year old also told Vardon that the Portland Trail Blazers have been in discussions with him, but that they didn’t go anywhere. From the time he declined his option (and even before then), Smith has always said that he wants to return to Cleveland.

“I definitely want to come back to Cleveland,” he said. “The coaches, the team, everything about the situation, it’s perfect for me.”

During the regular season, Smith averaged 12.7 points and shot 39 percent from three-point range during the regular season for the wine and gold. In what was a rollercoaster of a playoff run for Smith, highlighted by a two-game suspension for punching Boston Celtics guard Jae Crowder in Game 4 of the first round and shooting an abysmal 31 percent from the field in the Finals, Smith thought they he would be able to get more money in the free agent market.

Unfortunately for Smith, there aren’t many teams left in the NBA that can give him more than his player option would have given him. In fact, there are only three – the Indiana Pacers ($11.5 million), Portland Trail Blazers ($16.4 million), and Philadelphia 76ers ($16.3 million).

Already over the salary cap, all additional contracts that the Cavaliers bring on will add to the luxury tax the owner Dan Gilbert will have to pay, which has been obvious that he does not care much about.

The Cavaliers confirmed to Vardon that they are negotiating with Smith. Along with Smith, Cleveland is expected to re-sign James Jones and are in negotiations with restricted free agent Tristan Thompson and are also considering adding Russian center Sasha Kaun, to whom they have rights.

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