The Cleveland Cavaliers have been working to try and move J.R. Smith since the middle of November. With not a ton of interest being shown in the streaky shooter, maybe the Wine and Gold should give a call to the Houston Rockets.
Let’s be honest here, no one expected a J.R. Smith trade to come easy for the Cleveland Cavaliers. Smith’s contract is not pleasing to the eye of any team, especially a contending squad that’s more than likely already strapped for cash. Factor in the fact that Smith hasn’t played but just eleven games this season and it’s going to be tough to get any other franchise to bite on a deal.
But maybe the Houston Rockets would be interested.
A month ago, there was chatter amongst the league that the Rockets would be interested in acquiring Smith. That chatter seemed to die down as soon as it started and there were no revisited reports on a potential deal after that.
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However, AmicoHoops.net’s Sam Amico has reported that the Cavaliers would be wise to look into a Smith-to-Houston trade and should be willing to take on former All-Star forward Carmelo Anthony in such a deal.
Amico talked to a few NBA general managers and an NBA scout to gauge their opinions, with there being enough logical talk to not be totally against it.
First off, the deal would take the rest of Smith’s contract off the Cavaliers’ hands. That in itself should be considered a victory due to the current situation Cleveland is in with their exiled veteran.
Smith is owed over $14 million for each of the next two campaigns, though he should be easier to trade given that he’s only guaranteed to make $3.87 million next season, per Spotrac. Regardless, the quicker the Wine and Gold can rid themselves of that responsibility, the better.
Also, Cleveland has nothing to lose by acquiring Anthony. If they truly want to keep him, they can. It would be a weird turn of events that probably shouldn’t occur if the first order of business is losing basketball games to ensure a better draft pick. But if the team and Anthony were to work it out, Northeast Ohio could become a temporary home for the former third-overall pick to regain his confidence.
The more likely scenario is the Cavaliers cutting Anthony nearly as soon as they acquire him. It’s a harsh way of doing business but Cleveland’s sole purpose of completing such a trade is to create some more cap flexibility. Anthony will have a chance to sign anywhere he wants and that’s the best the team can do for him, as they’re not in the business of being a veterans’ comeback tour.