The rumor mill churns J.R. Smith’s departure from Cleveland Cavaliers to pave way on his entrance to Minnesota Timberwolves.
Cavalier’s shooting guard has not yet dealt a signed contract with the team that brought him the NBA Championship recently. Presumably, because the offer seems to be less than what Smith expects.
Basketball Insiders noted that Cavaliers already laid their offer to Smith, but it’s the latter who seems to be reluctant with the proposal.
"League sources said that Smith and his camp were not overly concerned about reaching a deal, with a belief that the Cavs have put a multi-year offer in the $10 million per year neighborhood on the table weeks ago. They added that Smith and his advisors have been looking for a slightly bigger offer and that waiting things out was simply about leverage and trying to get a slightly better deal," writer Steve Kyler mentioned.
The same report mentioned that Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert may not raise the offer so as to get the yes of Smith since increasing the rate would equate a greater financial responsibilities on his end considering that they have the most pricey payroll in the league.
From the looks of it, both parties are hitting each other hard for a win –win situation that seems to be not realized at the moment.
Should Smith decide not to grab a bite on Cavalier’s bid, he is likely to join Timberwolves as this ball club could grant his demand.
Fear the Sword revealed that Timberwolves have $25.5 million in salary cap space. This means that there’s a big room to accommodate Smith’s request of $15 million for a trade.
Cavs should think of strategic means to keep the veteran player as losing him would be hard. Significantly, they have a blockbuster superstar in LeBron James but isn’t it better if they can retain one of their best players in Smith?
