The Cleveland Cavaliers have waived shooting guard JR Smith, making him an unrestricted free agent, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic. The Cavs were trying to trade Smith all the way up until the 5 p.m. ET waiver deadline on Monday.
As an unrestricted free agent, Smith can sign with any team of his choice once he clears waivers.
Smith played in only 11 games this past season with the Cavs before the organization exiled him. He averaged 6.7 points, 1.6 rebounds and 1.9 assists while shooting 34.2 percent from the field, 30.8 percent from beyond the arc and 80.0 percent from the free-throw line.
The 33-year-old swingman was part of the 2016 Cavs team which won the NBA Finals over the Golden State Warriors in seven games. Some around the league believe he will end up on the Los Angeles Lakers with LeBron James. The last time we saw Smith and James as teammates, Cleveland got swept by the Warriors in the 2018 NBA Finals.
The 2018 Finals is especially notable for Smith, who committed a blunder in Game 1. After George Hill missed his second free throw in the closing stages, Smith got the offensive rebound and dribbled the ball out to the perimeter. He thought the Cavs were up, when they were really tied with the Dubs.
JR Smith, 33, has career averages of 12.5 points, 3.2 rebounds and 2.1 assists in 971 NBA games.
