The Cleveland Cavaliers and J.R. Smith are still reportedly working on a new deal to bring back the 12-year veteran back to the championship winning squad. The Cavs need him, there’s no denying that, but signing him to a three-year deal, as he’s reportedly asked for, is tough to do considering there’s no competition to sign him from other teams.
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The players know the importance of having Smith back starting with LeBron James.
"J.R. is probably the most liked guy on the team. J.R. is a huge piece of our team."
-LeBron James— Tomer Azarly (@TomerAzarly) September 26, 2016
"We don't win a championship last year without J.R."
– LeBron James— Tomer Azarly (@TomerAzarly) September 26, 2016
Tristan Thompson also spoke about J.R. Smith and made a fairly bold statement about the Cavs’ upcoming NBA season without J.R.
#Cavaliers PF Tristan Thompson: "We cannot win a championship without J.R. Smith." #NBAFinals pic.twitter.com/xYJ075UaI2
— Brian Dulik (@BrianDulik) September 26, 2016
Cavaliers' big man Tristan Thompson on the importance of bringing back J.R. Smith. #NBAMediaDay https://t.co/oXevJsb0Mt
— NBA TV (@NBATV) September 27, 2016
It’s clear the players and the fans want J.R. back, and we can only hope that the two sides agree on a deal soon so we can turn all of our attention to training camp and defending the title.
