J.R. Smith Returning to Cleveland

 

 
On Thursday night, free agent point guard J.R. Smith declared that he will be returning with the Cleveland Cavaliers. Smith would sign a two-year deal, worth $5 million per year (including a player option on the second year). 

Oddly enough, Smith opted out of his contract with the Cavaliars in the final year of his contract, which would have landed him $6.39 million in 2015. 

Cleveland acquired Smith from the New York Knicks in a trade back in January. Smith would go on to average 12.7 ppg in the regular season, and even improved by averaging 4.7 rpg during the playoffs. 

J.R. Smith won’t see time most likely in the starting lineup, but this move provides the Cav’s with arguably one of the most dangerous benches in the NBA. With the addition of veteran Mo Williams, there is no telling what this team is capable of. 

All that is left now for the organization is to come to terms with Tristan Thompson. The two sides were close on an agreement, according to sources, but never came to an agreement.