J.R. Smith’s tenure in Cleveland is nearing an end, as he and the Cavs are parting ways and currently trying to work on a trade agreement. Most assume that Smith’s contract would be a deterrent for any interested team, but it does hold a certain amount of value.
ESPN’s Brian Windhorst recently explained some of the finer details in Smith’s contract, which might be appealing to some teams after all:
According to several reports, Smith, now 33 years of age, has asked the Cavs for a trade on two separate occasions this season. One reason behind his requests is playing time, or the lack there of.
Smith averaged at least 28 minutes per game in each of his four seasons with the Cavs. This season, however, he’s getting just 20.2 minutes per outing, which is the lowest of his career. Furthermore, he played just four minutes in Cleveland’s first three games this year. Since then, Smith’s playing time has been hit or miss.
“I don’t mind taking a backseat or sitting down,” Smith told SI earlier this month. “But at least communicate that to me. To feel like you’re going to play one day, and then you just don’t play… you can’t even look me in my face and tell me? That’s disrespectful.”
Whether or not Smith and the Cavs will be able to reach an agreement remains to be seen. He won’t be active with the team while trade discussions are ongoing. The relationship between the two parties dwindled fast, and Smith thinks the Cavs are losing on purpose.
“I don’t think the goal is to win,” Smith told The Athletic. “The goal isn’t to go out and there and try to get as many wins as you can. “I think the goal is to develop and lose to get lottery picks. I think that was always the plan.”
Smith has a point. As far as losing on purpose goes, it’s fairly clear that Cleveland is about that life right now. Prior to the start of this season, management preached a competitive message to the fans — one that whispered playoff aspirations. Now, however, with a 2-13 record under their belt, it seems tanking season is in full swing.
