J.R. Smith Reportedly Offered Deal By Cleveland Cavaliers

J.R. Smith has been offered a multi-year contract worth $10 million annually by the Cleveland Cavaliers, according to reports. Will Smith settle for less than he wants?

The Cleveland Cavaliers have offered J.R. Smith a multi-year deal worth $10 million annually, according to Basketball Insider‘s Steve Kyler. In mid-July, Kyler reported that Smith wanted $15 million annually, which makes sense.

Looking at the Cavs starters and what they get paid, Smith would be on-par with center Tristan Thompson, who will make $15.3 million for the 2016-17 season, according to Hoops Hype. It’s easy to see why Smith would want around that figure, when all of his peers in the starting lineup are making at least $15 million.

Smith, 30, may not be hard-pressed to reach deal in the hopes of holding out and getting the most he can. He does have leverage after becoming a pivotal part of the Cavs’ championship run with strong defense. It’s possible that he doesn’t reach a deal until days before the regular season starts, much like Thompson did last year.

The hold up could be something as small as Cavs’ owner Dan Gilbert trying to get as cheap of a deal as possible. It’s not a case of trying to low-ball a player and deny him something he’s worth, but the fact that Gilbert will also have to pay a luxury tax. Pro Basketball Talk‘s Dan Feldman reports that it would be around $43.75 million in total money spent for the 2016-17 season on Smith’s contract alone, if he gets the $15 million figure.

Kyler’s report states that he believes that Smith and the Cavs will eventually reach a deal, but he notes that it won’t be until all options have been exhausted. Signing LeBron James to a three-year deal may be the “final” move the Cavs needed before bringing Smith back.

If the Cavaliers feel that there are still other options out there, another deal could be on the horizon. Whether it’s a trade, or a signing, there will always be other options out there. A deal involving Vince Carter would be timely, due to the Grizzlies having just over two weeks to use his contract as a waive and stretched trade chip.

There are other options available, too. Kevin Martin is a career 38.4 percent three-point shooter. He is an available free agent. The Cavs could also stay in-house if they choose not to bring back Smith, or he signs elsewhere. Other teams have to be interested in what Smith could bring, and several teams still have cap space to get a deal done.

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Iman Shumpert could become the starting shooting guard, if Smith were not to re-sign. He is a capable defensive standout that is coming off the worst offensive season of his career. He had an abysmal shooting line of .374/.295/.784. The 26-year-old guard has plenty of room to improve his game, and time is on his side.

Veteran Mike Dunleavy has the ability to play three positions. He could be the shooting guard in a crunch, or they could reserve him and use him off the bench. Dunleavy is a 3-and-D player that has shot 38.0 percent from three-point range or better in his last six seasons.

Smith is a vital part of the Cavaliers championship run last season. He has also become a fan-favorite with his antics on and off the court. There is no reason to worry for Cavs fans, this shouldn’t be another Carlos Boozer scenario.

J.R. Smith is the best option for the Cleveland Cavaliers, and it’s only a matter of time before he signs a new deal.