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J.R. Smith: Back For Round Two

By Joshua Howe

Jun 9, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard J.R. Smith (5) handles the ball against Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson (11) during the first quarter in game three of the NBA Finals at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 9, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard J.R. Smith (5) handles the ball against Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson (11) during the first quarter in game three of the NBA Finals at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /
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It was sort of a surprise when J.R. Smith opted out of his contract at the end of this past season with the Cleveland Cavaliers. If he had opted in, he would’ve gotten $6.4 million. But he chose to survey the NBA landscape and see what fate had for him.

That fate, it turns out, was to return to the Cavs but for less money. That’s one heck of a win for Dan Gilbert and the rest of the franchise. And while it isn’t so much a win for Smith, he didn’t seem that upset about it when he posted the breaking news to his Instagram (yep, that’s so J.R. Smith).

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The two-year deal includes $5 million next season and a player option on the second year. Not too bad for a consolation prize contract. Besides, Smith still gets to enjoy being on one of the best teams in the league and the chance to play for a title again.

I mentioned various times throughout the playoffs that this very well could’ve been Smith’s only chance at ever winning a ring. And while he was instrumental in helping the team get to The Finals after the Cavs suffered injury after heartbreaking injury, he didn’t perform to his usual standards under the brightest lights.

Smith averaged just 11.5 points on 31.1 percent shooting from the field and 29.4 percent shooting from downtown against the Warriors. Yuck. With those numbers in mind, it might be one of the reasons J.R. Swish decided to return to Cleveland–unfinished business.

During the regular season, Smith did his usual thing and was a great offensive addition for the team. He gave them 12.7 points, 3.5 rebounds, 1.4 steals and shot 42.5 percent from the floor and 39.0 percent from deep. He played 46 games for the Cavs (after being traded from New York), in which he started 45 of them mostly because of an injury to Iman Shumpert.

In just a couple weeks, Smith will turn 30 years of age. His career is starting to wind down a little and entering the second half of things. His window is limited. Playing in a city with, admittedly, not the same sort of night life as a place like New York was good for Smith last season. Playing with a great like LeBron James was good for him too.

When he’s focused, he brings it. He’s never been the most basketball-intelligent player (as noted by some of his plays during the playoffs and especially The Finals), but he’s a very good shooter who can get his own looks at any time. He hasn’t been as selfish while playing on this James-led squad and when he’s really locked in he can play some good defense to boot.

It seemed likely at the end of last season that the Cavs were going to have to pay Smith that $6.4 million, which would’ve been fine. Then he opted out and didn’t appear to be high on the re-signing priority list. And now, Cleveland’s getting him back for cheap.

Just another solid piece shoved back into place. This Cavs team is looking mighty dangerous once again.

Next: NBA Finals History: Ranking The Last 50 Champions

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