Two weeks after J.R. Smith announced on Instagram he was returning to the Cavaliers, the team confirmed the re-signing Wednesday evening.
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A restricted free agent, no team in the league is going to offer Thompson a four-year deal worth around $70 million, and at that price, the Cavaliers are probably going to match anyway. The Cavaliers also have to worry about their superstar forward James, though, as he is now on a two-year deal with the second year being a player option and will likely opt out at the end of this season. Thompson has been holding out for a maximum contract, threatening to sign a one-year deal this season and become an unrestricted free agent next summer if he doesn’t get his max.
James is set to make a little less than $23 million in the 2015-16 season and has an option for a little more than $24 million in 2016-17 that will nearly certainly be declined. His 131 three-pointers made were the most in the Eastern Conference after January 5.
The 29-year-old Smith played in an additional 18 games during the playoffs and averaged 12.8 points and 4.7 rebounds as the Cavs reached the National Basketball Association Finals. Smith posted the following statement that night and included a picture of him on a beach. The Cavaliers had things they needed to do in order to piece together a championship caliber roster.
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Christian Petersen/Getty ImagesThe Cavaliers reportedly don’t fear LeBron James’ leaving Cleveland again. Except, only one team wins each year, and it’s a monumental disservice to the other 29 teams when we relegate them to the has-been group.
