The Houston Rockets have expressed exploratory interest in acquiring Cleveland Cavaliers shooting guard J.R. Smith, according to Marc Stein of the New York Times.
J.R. Smith has been away from the team for a while, as the Cavs look to find a new home for the veteran shooter.
J.R. Smith is making $14.7 million this season, but has just $3.9 million guaranteed in 2019-20. The 15-year veteran played in 11 games this season for the Cavs and averaged 6.7 points, 1.6 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game while shooting 34.2 percent from the field, 30.8 percent from beyond the arc and 80.0 percent from the free-throw line.
J.R. Smith signed a four-year, $57 million contract with Cleveland in October of 2016. He averaged 8.3 points, 2.9 rebounds and 1.8 assists in 80 regular season games last season, shooting 40.3 percent from the field and 37.5 percent from the 3-point line.
The Rockets are really struggling this season and don’t look like the explosive offense they were last year when they had the best record in the league. Smith would add 3-point shooting and playmaking to a team that is averaging just 108.3 points per game, 21st in the NBA.