NBA Trade Rumors: J.R. Smith could join the Warriors or Rockets
What's the rumour?
J.R. Smith of the Cleveland Cavaliers is being linked with a move to both the Houston Rockets and Golden State Warriors. Smith has not featured for the Cavs for over two months after the team agreed to trade him away, although Sam Amico from Amico Hoops is reporting that Smith could soon agree to a buyout, and the Warriors and Rockets may be interested:
Finally, it appears exiled guard J.R. Smith may be somewhere closer to accepting a buyout after the trade deadline, after all. He has been working out and wants to play. Teams such as the Rockets and Warriors may be willing to give Smith a shot, but his large contract just won’t allow it to happen in a trade.
In case you didn't know...
J.R. Smith has been with the Cleveland Cavaliers since 2015 and the point guard played a major role in the Cavs 2016 Championship winning season. Despite this, the veteran has played in just 11 games this season, averaging 6.7 points, 1.6 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game. Smith also recently turned 33 and has a contract worth $14.7 million for the current season.
The heart of the matter
J.R. Smith has now been away from the Cavs team for nearly two months, so franchises around the league were clearly not willing to take on the remainder of his hugely overvalued contract. Smith stated last year that he wouldn't agree to a buyout, however, the veteran will no recognize that a buyout could be his only opportunity to land on a new team before the end of the season.
What's next?
The Cleveland Cavaliers have lost nine out of their last ten games, although the team will be hoping to pick up a rare win as they travel to the Boston Celtics tomorrow night.