Cavs Resign J.R. Smith to Four-Year, $57 Million Deal

(photo credit: New York Daily News)

Shooting guard J.R. Smith has verbally agreed to a four-year $57 million contract with the Cleveland Cavaliers, according to ESPN’s Marc Stein. Smith announced his decision to sign back with the Cavs via Bleacher Report’s Uninterrupted. Smith is guaranteed to make $45 million over the next three seasons. 

Smith was looking for $15 million per year, but the Cavs were only willing to give him $10-11 million per year. Once the Philadelphia 76ers expressed interest in the streaky shooting guard, Cleveland sweetened the deal to bring Smith back. Cleveland now has its core from last year’s championship team intact. Cleveland will begin their title defense on Oct. 25 against the New York Knicks. 

Smith has missed all of training camp and five preseason games, but he’s been seen with the team, including at last week’s Cleveland Indians MLB playoff game. The Cavaliers had a similar dispute over a contract with Tristan Thompson last year, but it didn’t take as long to end the stalemate as this one did. Smith was traded from the Knicks to the Cavaliers in the 2014-2015 season. Smith has played a vital role on both Cavaliers teams that have made it to the NBA Finals the past two seasons. 

Smith has provided knockdown three point shooting and a shooter that can space the floor. Smith was a starter last season and should be in the lineup for the upcoming season. Smith averaged 12.4 points while starting in 77 games. Smith was ranked seventh in the league in three-pointer (207). Smith converted on 50% of his three point attempts against the Detroit Pistons and Atlanta in last year’s NBA playoffs. Smith scored 12 points in Cleveland’s Game 7 NBA Finals win over the Golden State Warriors.