Friday, August 21, 2015

Cavaliers re-sign J.R.Smith

After one of the poorer decisions in free agency in quite a while,J.R. Smith wound up right where he could have been a few months ago and a million and a half lighter in the bank account to do it,as Smith re-signed a two year contract (2nd year is a player option) with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Smith's contract is worth five million per year,but had Smith picked up his player option for the 2015-16 season,he would have made 6.5 million.
A savings for the Cavaliers,who need to save every penny that they can get at this stage,but a loss for Smith.

On the court,Smith is still a risk despite an excellent Eastern Conference final series vs the Atlanta Hawks.
Smith averaged over 12 points a game with the Cavaliers and shot 39 percent from behind the three point line,so he can still shoot with the best of them when he is hot.
Smith does come with off court baggage and has been known to be a locker room lawyer despite behaving himself in his time in Cleveland last year.
I'm hoping that Smith has learned to be a role player and not the focal point because on this team,he needs to fill a role.
When asked to be the second scoring option against the Golden State Warriors ,Smith came up wanting and at this stage of his career,Smith is so much better suited to be a secondary option.
As a shooter,Smith can be quite valuable when used properly and assuming that the Cavaliers are able to stay,Smith could fill that spot.

The contract isn't oppressive and I am encouraged by Smith's play and behavior last season,but this is no sure thing.
J.R. Smith will always be a dicey proposition due to his poor decision making on and off the floor,Cleveland is gambling with a minimal risk that those days are behind him.

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