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Cleveland Cavaliers: Why J.R. Smith Didn’t Actually Take a Loss

By Will Reeve

Jun 16, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson (11) shoots against Cleveland Cavaliers guard J.R. Smith (5) during the first quarter of game six of the NBA Finals at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 16, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson (11) shoots against Cleveland Cavaliers guard J.R. Smith (5) during the first quarter of game six of the NBA Finals at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports /
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Yes, J.R. Smith re-signed with the Cleveland Cavaliers for $1.4 million less than he would have made if he chose to pick up his player option this season; but what few realize is that his opting out wasn’t as unwise as it looks on the surface.

Before expounding upon this logic let’s all take a moment to chuckle at Smith’s Instagram post where he clearly alludes to a belief that he had other “larger deals” available elsewhere.

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The truth is Smith has always been a bit of a knucklehead and wasn’t — nor should he have been — a desirable free agent in an offseason that saw mediocre players get insane amounts of money.

His personality and maturity level have been scaring teams off for years — and although he helped the Cavaliers dramatically in the regular season — his 31.2 percent NBA Finals performance isn’t something that is easily forgotten either.

In the short-term, Smith loses out on over $1 million but he protected himself — via a second-year player option of around $5 million — against not being signed at all next year in case: he suffers a severe injury, does something insanely stupid off of the court or has a horrendous year.

Smith also would have to approve any trade the Cavaliers try to make to move him as well.

If Smith has a good year, keeps his nose clean and the Cavaliers win a title; he can opt out again — and this time around — likely cash in as the cap will have risen 30 percent by that time.

Thus, while not picking up his player option appeared like yet another patented boneheaded J.R. Smith move (and it must be acknowledged he likely stumbled into this fact), if he displays maturity this season and plays well; Smith may be the one laughing in the end next offseason.

Will Reeve is a contributing writer for HoopsHabit, you can follow him on Twitter @WillReeveJr or connect with him on Facebook here.

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