With mini-camps, extracurricular activities, and team meetings already taking place for the Cavaliers, the noticeable absence of starting shooting guard J.R. Smith is beginning to worry some of his teammates.
Smith, who averaged 11.5 points on 43% shooting from deep during the Cavs’ championship Playoff run, is a valuable asset for the team both on the hardwood and off. His laser sharpshooting is undoubtedly essential to Cleveland’s overall success, but his laid-back and outgoing persona in the locker room with teammates is just as essential.
“J.R. is probably the most liked guy on the team,” said Finals MVP LeBron James at media day. “I won’t get into the contract issue or if there’s an issue at all between both sides, but I believe both sides will get it done. We all know that J.R. is a huge piece of our team.
“Without him, we don’t win a championship last year”, James continued. “He brings a dimension to our team that we just don’t have. He’s a two-way player, a space guy, and he’s a great locker room guy. He’s been great in the community.”
The Cavaliers’ front office thinks highly of Smith, and is desperate to bring him back for the upcoming campaign. Smith’s camp and Cleveland management have been negotiating a new deal since July, but both sides simply haven’t remained close in preferences.
“We think very highly of J.R., we love him as a member of our team,” Cavaliers general manager David Griffin told reporters today. “As a member of our locker room, he was essential to our success.”
Cleveland raised its previous offer of approximately $10 million per season this week, with GM David Griffin saying the team gave him an “incredibly competitive and aggressive” offer to consider.
Re-signing J.R. Smith sooner rather than later is imperative for the Cavaliers, who signed guard John Holland to round out its training camp roster last week. Should the team move forward without Smith, its chances at winning a championship would take a serious hit.
“If you look at the rest of the league, the rest of the shooting guards, J.R. is among the elite players”, Smith’s teammate Tristan Thompson said Monday at media day. “I think if you ask any player or coach in our locker room, including LeBron, we cannot win a championship without J.R. Smith here.”
Smith, 31, was acquired by the Cavaliers in a January trade back in 2015. In his short time as a member of the Cavaliers, his impact on the team has been well documented, and the importance of keeping him is detrimental to the Cavs’ chances at being successful from here on out.
He holds career-averages of 13.2 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game during his 12 seasons in the league.
