Smith was a huge disappointment in the Finals. That was his time to shine and show that he's more than a guy who can (inefficiently) score on a losing team. But, maybe that's all he is. Seemed unable to get up any good shots, instead relying on nothing but stepback long-2s off the dribble.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Cavs GM David Griffin expects Kevin Love and LeBron James to opt out of their contracts, but re-sign with Cleveland <a href="http://t.co/HUAY00sqZe">http://t.co/HUAY00sqZe</a></p>— CBS Sports NBA (@CBSSportsNBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/CBSSportsNBA/status/611682517238870016">June 18, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
the thompson and/or love decision and associated contracts is fascinating, they are such different players, for all the praise for thompson's rebounding (and sure compared to others he can show better on guards in per on D) he is dreadful on offense, perhaps worse than love's defense, his work ethic and work rate are amazing but you are paying for one skill, and if you get picky is one skill on one end, offensive rebounding..... for all their decisions this could blow up, can you play Moz and Love together in the modern NBA, can you play Moz and TT and can you play Love and TT together? And then in the playoffs LBJ will end up playing the 4. Sure Moz is on a cheap contract but its going to be alot money in the front court between LBJ, Love and TT, and then a complete reliance on an injury prone kyrie to compete on perimeter in an NBA that is so reliant on spacing, shooting and perimeter play......
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Aiming to add a playmaker, Cavs looking to package Brendan Haywood's contract & their first round pick: <a href="http://t.co/yy9GZnLsSs">http://t.co/yy9GZnLsSs</a></p>— Brian Windhorst (@WindhorstESPN) <a href="https://twitter.com/WindhorstESPN/status/611906444460486656">June 19, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
There is obviously a lot of this. Here's a chance to save some money, let's get a valuable player in return. I wonder what the list of top 10, 15 "valuable players and teams" are that would be interested in this. Haywood has a $10.5 million team option contract. So I assume they can trade him right now to a team that is looking to clear a lot of cap room. EDIT: Wow, didn't realize he has a $2 million salary currently, that then jumps to $10.5 million, but non-guaranteed. Seems like a pretty useful trade chip.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">ESPN sources say Cavs forward Kevin Love has opted out of the final year of his contract and will be a free agent July 1</p>— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) <a href="https://twitter.com/ESPNSteinLine/status/613773397059870721">June 24, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">ESPN sources say Cavs forward Kevin Love has opted out of the final year of his contract and will be a free agent July 1</p>— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) <a href="https://twitter.com/ESPNSteinLine/status/613773397059870721">June 24, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Kevin Love would leave $3 million on the table by opting in, so this was expected. Still, the summer just got more interesting.</p>— Paul Flannery (@Pflanns) <a href="https://twitter.com/Pflanns/status/613775072155828224">June 24, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Kevin Love opts out of final year, will be free agent Possible deals, projected money: Re-signs: 5-years, $108.3M Leaves: 4-years, $80.4M</p>— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) <a href="https://twitter.com/ESPNStatsInfo/status/613777064781594624">June 24, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
So correct me if I'm wrong, but doesn't this make things more difficult for Cleveland this offseason? Now they'll have to pay even more money to retain Love which means less leftover to sign their other free agents.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Cavs' J.R. Smith has opted out of $6 million-plus deal for 2015-16 to become a free agent, sources tell RealGM. Mutual interest in return.</p>— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) <a href="https://twitter.com/ShamsCharania/status/613803405212041218">June 24, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
at this point in most of these players careers that are opting out, they are looking for some financial stability securing themselves for a few more years rather than just a year salary.
