The Cleveland Cavaliers have secured Lebron James for at least the next two years but the Dan Gilbert and company are far from done. There is still one player unsigned, J.R. Smith, who is looking to get a $15 million deal.
Worth noting is that the Cavs don’t exactly have the luxury of a budget. They are already way over the luxury tax though such is only to be expected from a team looking to win more than their 2015-16 NBA title.
Smith is someone who has earned a fat pay raise meaning the Cavs may have twisted their arm too much with questionable deals on other players on the roster. Right now, it seems like Smith and his agent Rich Paul are sticking to the $15 million deal and not budging.
If not Smith, Dwyane Wade?
Dwyane Wade has moved on and signed with the Chicago Bulls but that will not stop rumors from following. With Smith’s state uncertain, there have been deadline deal rumors afloat tied up to James’ good friend.
All that is apparent because of the Smith issue no matter how crazy it may sound. Wade is by far better than Smith though his durability leaves a big question mark.
Adding Wade to the Cavaliers could make sense but the money angle involved just doesn’t fit. Recall that Wade wanted to get what is (financially) due to him after sacrificing it for years with the Miami Heat.
Smith could consider playing elsewhere
The only good thing about the Smith-Cavaliers relationship is that the swingman has not been linked to other teams. That alone means that Smith wants to stay in Cleveland and vice versa.
Negotiations are likely still ongoing between the two camps. If there is a deadline deal happening for the Cavs, it will most certainly be one involving J.R. Smith.
