What I Want From the Browns This Year
August 17, 2015Pic: Bernie Kosar’s first start with the Browns was 30 years ago
August 17, 2015When J.R. Smith turned down a player option worth $6.4 million in order to test free agency, he did so under the assumption that the multi-year offers would come rolling in. Unfortunately for the veteran swingman, not only did this not occur, but the team he prefers to play for—the Cleveland Cavaliers—has offered him a one-year deal at an amount lower than the initial option.
Here’s Terry Pluto with the details:
Smith knows he should have picked up the player option for $6.4 million for 2015-16. When he passed and became a free agent, he really believed a multi-year offer for more money was coming his way.
It didn’t happen.
…
The Cavs have made him an offer. I hear it’s less than $6.4 million that he turned down. They know Smith is not thrilled with a lesser deal. But right now, he has no leverage, and a one-year contract puts him in position to cash in next summer when the salary cap rises 30 percent.
Smith may continue to wait. But right now, it seems Cleveland is his only option.
Upon being acquired from the New York Knicks mid year, Smith’s ability to hit from long range made him an immediate contributor. Assumed to be coming off of the bench, he started more games than not due to his ability to play off of the ball. He was a big reason why the Cavs made it to the NBA Finals in the wake of several key injuries, and head coach David Blatt and teammate LeBron James has often praised his role on the team.
A fan favorite, the pairing of Smith and the Cavaliers’ 2015-16 roster would make sense for both sides. Assuming he thrives once again, Smith could see a nice pay day come next July. In the event things do not work out as initially hoped (as the team has committed several years to shooting guard Iman Shumpert), he could easily be moved to a team looking to have that salary come off of their books next summer.
16 Comments
Will be interesting to see J.R.’s state(s) of mind if he returns. Can’t imagine his teammates will tolerate a sense of grievance cause by his own problematic decision-making skills.
Poor Sybil…
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pUTtoDA3y5Y/VUS7OaWoSnI/AAAAAAAA41E/2SP_IdXh8Ms/s1600/cards.gif
that’s the risk when you turn down guaranteed money. JR knew that, and he got burned. his own fault, and i don’t feel bad. I think he’ll feel a little stung by signing the deal but them’s the breaks. I think the Cavs should throw a player option for a second season in there, too – just to make him feel better (and knowing he’ll never pick it up).
Can’t. Stop. Watching.
The night of the fight, you may feel a slight sting. That’s pride ****ing with you. **** pride. Pride only hurts, it never helps.
GOTTA pay JR, JUST so I can sing, “Bombing threes frooooom every which angle!!!!”
Y’know, at least once every third playoff game…..
I think most of us will be shaking our heads over this one for years.
Scott, that’s the perfect photo to accompany this article. Made me laugh.
yea but JR is just not a smart basketball player their are times when he is on the floor he is a real liability, he makes too many bone headed errors at critical point in the game that have turned games around. good shooter but not smart and that’s why he didn’t get any offers.
THE BOMBS THO
*LOL* I know, I just like the song. Have you ever heard the song I’m referring to?
no I haven’t!
Oh, then let me enlighten you, good sir! *LOL* This hilarious song was made by the biggest JR Smith fan in existence, I believe. I don’t care if a word of it is true, it’s a hilarious song and I love it. And I want JR to stay in Cleveland for no other reason than to give me the opportunity to sing this every time he hits the floor and makes a point, even if it only happens every few games *L*
EDIT: Put the wrong version in there the first time, reload if you get a version talking about George Karl.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6364ItTQwUw
From ever which angle!
thanks, pretty good song but JR is a good shooter however just not a smart basketball player he makes too many bone headed mistakes at critical point in the game, late in the game if the game is tight I wouldn’t trust JR Smith in the game cause it’s a 50/50 chance he will mishandle the ball or make a stupid foul way on the opposite side of the floor away from the ball, that’s just how much of a liability he is on the floor at critical point in the game.
Oh yes, I understand totally. I was really more joking about that, but you’re right. All of those complaints you listed came out in the playoffs. I entertained myself on the couch watching them by singing, “Bombing threes frommmmm every which anglllleeee” when he scored a basket, but it was painful, because he’d be throwing more bricks than a mason at times, and just making bad decisions, like you said. Maybe the “lush Cuyahoga greenery” didn’t do much for him. *LOL* Well, the upside is that the song is funny. *L*