Cleveland Cavaliers guard J.R. Smith will decline his player option for 2016-17 and become a free agent this summer, Cleveland.com’s Chris Haynes reported Wednesday.
Smith, 30, re-signed with the Cavaliers last September for two years at $10.3 million and was set to earn $5.3 million next season had he opted in. Instead, the 3-point marksman will test the free agency waters and look to cash in, with the salary cap expected to jump to $92 million.
Smith told Cleveland.com that Cleveland is where he wants to be. But after he averaged 12.4 points during the regular season on 41.5 percent shooting, there might be other teams interested in the former Sixth Man of the Year. Smith, who has shot 37.5 percent from 3 for his career, is still an effective scorer from the perimeter, and he has a ton of experience in the postseason.
If the Cavaliers lose Thursday to the Golden State Warriors, it might be the last time we see Smith in a Cavs uniform. Stay tuned.
