Here are three ways Smith can find a new home.
J.R. Smith wants to be traded from the Cleveland Cavaliers, and we know this because he said so to a reporter who asked. “Yeah,” Smith said, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. “They know. They don’t want me here, so they obviously know.”
Now, he’s telling The Athletic’s Jason Lloyd that the goal in Cleveland isn’t to win, but to tank for better standing in the 2019 NBA Draft Lottery. If the Cavs don’t want to win, Smith has been public in saying he doesn’t want to be a part of it.
Smith could be fined for admitting his desires, as there is a rule forbidding players from making public trade requests, but according to Joe Vardon of The Athletic, NBA commissioner Adam Silver doesn’t expect to do so. (Last season, when then-Suns guard Eric Bledsoe tweeted “I don’t wanna be here,” he was fined $10,000.)
Smith’s desire to move on from the Cavs doesn’t come as much of a surprise as a new regime is taking shape in Cleveland. The team fired head coach Ty Lue in October as management quickly realized this team couldn’t compete, and would need to begin a rebuild. That means playing the younger talent more minutes.
In four games this season, 33-year-old Smith has played 48 total minutes. Last year, he averaged 28 per game. Smith can still play, but he doesn’t fit into the Cavs’ vision any longer as they exit LeBron James’ world of annual title contention. He shot 38 percent from three-point range last season, which is good, but he’s still a one-dimensional player.
Whatever team is interested in him will likely need to have a very specific role for him to fill in a similarly limited time slot. His contract is expiring, but at a hefty $13 million, it’ll be difficult to deal. He has few options, but here are four reasonable ones.
1. The Detroit Pistons trade for him
The Pistons are one of the NBA’s teams awkwardly stuck somewhere between rebuilding and competing. After trading for Blake Griffin last season, the playoffs should be an expectation in a shallow Eastern Conference, but Detroit’s roster is shaky. Griffin and Andre Drummond make up a star-studded frontcourt, but the backcourt — particularly in its lack of shooting — is below par.
The Pistons are No. 26 in the league in three-point percentage despite ranking in the top half of the league in attempts. The mindset is right, but the execution isn’t, which is where Smith can help.
A trade including Jon Leuer and a semi-protected second-round pick might work. Otherwise the options for trade aren’t obvious. But this is at least a team that makes sense for Smith.
2. The Los Angeles Lakers trade for him
If LeBron has really gotten over J.R. forgetting what the score was in Game 1 of the Finals, maybe he’ll want him in L.A. There’s space for shooters on the Lakers, a team that intends to make the playoffs, and Smith fits that role.
The Lakers would likely have to wait until Dec. 15, when they’re eligible to trade Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, to make the move. It’s unclear if Smith would wait that long, but his options aren’t exactly plentiful.
3. A buyout might be the most reasonable option
If all else fails, and the Cavs and J.R. are ready to move on, negotiating a buyout may be the best way to relieve the tensions on both sides. It will allow Smith to earn some cash and look for another team of his choosing, and sets up Cleveland to focus on the players they want to move forward with.