National Basketball Association

LeBron pressures Cavaliers to sign J.R. Smith

Published Nov. 15, 2016 3:01 p.m. ET

foxsports

The Cavaliers opened training camp earlier this week, but they did so without J.R. Smith, who remains an unrestricted free agent while still negotiating a new contract to return to the defending champs. And LeBron James is tired of waiting for the two sides to get a deal done.

Speaking to reporters on Friday, James made it clear that he wants Smith back in the fold -- and that he wants him back as soon as possible.

“Negotiations are always two sides, but J.R. did his part,” James said, via Ohio.com. “He showed up every day. Worked his ass off every day. Became a two-way player, a model citizen in Cleveland and he’s a fan favorite. Obviously we all know that. … He’s a big piece of our team and they just need to get it done.

“I hate coming into another season – two years in a row – with one of my big guns not here. So for a leader of a team and for me personally, I just hate to deal with this s--- again. It’s just too big of a piece to our team to have to deal with in another training camp. Hopefully things get resolved fast, because you know how big and important he is to our team.”

LeBron James on J.R.'s contract negotiations. "I hate to deal with this s*** again." #Cavs pic.twitter.com/VgBkhuzO3F
— Hayden Grove (@H_Grove) September 30, 2016

Last year at this time, Tristan Thompson missed all of training camp due to a similar hold out situation. He eventually signed a deal worth $82 million over five years just before the beginning of the regular season.

Smith won't be earning anywhere near as much as Thompson. But after playing last season for $6.5 million, it's clear he's looking for something more reasonable.

The 31-year old started 77 regular season games last season, while averaging 12.4 points in 30.7 minutes per contest. Smith also knocked down 40 percent of his looks from three-point distance.