Cleveland Cavaliers Have Interest In Josh Smith, Could He Sign Next Year?

The Cleveland Cavaliers have reportedly reached out to Josh Smith twice in the last two months. While Smith and the Cavs never gained real traction on a deal that would bring him to Cleveland, could he sign with the team next season?

According to Shams Charania of the Vertical, the Cleveland Cavaliers were talking to Josh Smith as well as Larry Sanders when they were looking to replace Andrew Bogut.

"Cleveland also talked with free-agent forward Josh Smith, league sources said, but focused on completing a deal with Sanders."

The Cleveland Cavaliers have had interest in interest in Smith as early as January, long before the signing of Derrick Williams, Deron Williams, Andrew Bogut and Sanders.

Smith, a 31-year-old big man who played 12 seasons in the NBA before signing a deal with the Sichuan Blue Whales of the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA), averaged 14.6 points, 7.5 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 1.9 blocks and 1.2 steals per game during his time in The Association. If was in the league right now, his 1.9 blocks per game and his defensive box plus/minus (DBPM) of 2.9 would be the third-most amongst active players. His 42.3 defensive win shares would be 10th amongst active players.

Look at the names ahead of him on those lists.

Serge Ibaka and Dwight Howard are the only players averaging more blocks per game.

Howard, Paul Pierce, LeBron James, Dirk Nowitzki, Pau Gasol, Manu Ginobli, Tony Parker and Tyson Chandler are the only players with more defensive win shares.

Joakim Noah and Andrew Bogut are the only players with a higher DBPM.

All of those players are well-known and highly-valued players in the league. Only Noah’s defensive play has had a storied decline and that’s because he’s dealt with a rash of injuries. Howard’s reputation has taken a hit in recent years and that’s because of injuries (and a perceived lack of competitive fire).

Smith, is one of the best defensive players the league has ever seen. It’s as simple as that. Smith, who can guard three positions, is an incredible athlete and blessed with a 6-9, 225 pound frame. In many ways, he can remind you James with his physical intangibles. The difference is that Smith made a living as a defensive beast while James made a living as a dominant and versatile two-way player.

Smith, who would like to have been a dominant offensive player, is a player who takes far too many shots outside of the paint. He shot 35.4 percent from the field when he was 3-10 feet away from the rim, 26.6 percent from the field when he was 10-16 feet away from the rim, 34.5 percent from the field when he was taking shots from 16 feet away to the three-point line and shot 28.5 percent from long distance.

Unfortunately, despite the inefficiency, only 36.7 percent of his shots came from 0-3 feet around the rim, where he converted 66.9 percent of his attempts.

It’s not so much that Smith can’t hit ever hit a jumper, it’s that he believes in himself to the point where takes jump shots at a rate that would make you think he was actually efficient from those areas.

The above video show you virtually everything Smith is good at offensively. He’s a deft passer with great awareness, he can attack the rim off-the-dribble in halfcourt or transition. He can finish above-the-rim or with a layup. He can post-up smaller players and get off a little hook shot.

Defensively, Smith’s athleticism and timing aid him as a shot-blocker and as he attacks the passing lanes. His quick hands allow him to strip players time and time again as well. On the defensive end, Smith plays with purpose and intensity.

Nonetheless, despite his obvious talent, at times he appears completely disinterested in the little things. Things like setting hard screens consistently. Or, simply, playing hard consistently.

When you look at Smith, his closest comparison to a current Cav is (Derrick) Williams. Williams tries to finish in the paint consistently, shoots open threes when they’re there and moves the ball well offensively. Defensively, his size and athleticism allows him to guard everyone from the point guard to centers.

Williams, who will be a free agent this offseason, will likely have to choose between playing for the Cavs at the veteran’s minimum or signing a larger contract with a team who hasn’t afforded him so much success as he’s had with the Cavs. Williams, who says he’s just trying to get his respect back in the league, is doing that with averages of 8.4 points and 3.1 rebounds per game on 53.3 percent shooting from the field and 39.5 percent shooting from three-point range while playing big minutes for a championship contender.

The 25-year-old Williams isn’t going to draw max contract offers, however he will be paid at least as much as the one-year, $5 million contract he signed with the Miami Heat, in my opinion.

If that’s the case, I can easily see Smith supplanting Williams in a role that has been as good for him as it’s been for the Cavs. The Cavs benefit from Williams attacking the rim as it provides a balance for a roster filled primarily with three-point specialists.

If Smith comes to the team, he’ll have to dial back on those jumpers but everything else about his game will be invaluable to the Cleveland Cavaliers.

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Would you want Josh Smith on the team next season? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section or Twitter @KJG_NBA.