J.R. Smith Opts Out Of His Contract To Become A Free Agent

After teammate Kevin Love opted out of his $16.7 million deal to become a free agent, Cleveland Cavaliers guard J.R. Smith has done the same, opting out of his $6.39 million contract, reports Shams Charania of RealGM.

The Cavaliers would like to re-sign Smith, as the two sides share mutual interests.

Smith, 29, was acquired by Cleveland in January in a trade with the New York Knicks which the Cavaliers also attained Iman Shumpert and unloaded Dion Waiters. Smith showed a lot of promise with Cleveland, regaining his focus and playing terrific basketball.

The streaky shooter averaged 12.7 points and 3.5 rebounds on 39.0 percent shooting from three-point distance in a Cavaliers uniform. He assisted LeBron James and the rest of the team to the Finals with big time performances throughout the playoffs.

At this point, Smith’s asking price is unknown, and there haven’t been any teams showing much interest in the 11-year two guard.

With Love opting out and Tristan Thompson’s free agency status unknown, the Cavaliers will have many decisions to make now that Smith has decided to become a free agent as well.

The Cavaliers are determined to keep their core group together, but the process will be very complicated.

Nonetheless, Cleveland has championship aspirations, and J.R. Smith would certainly love to return to help the franchise attain its first championship.