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Report: J.R. Smith opting out of Cavaliers contract

2016 NBA Finals - Game Five

OAKLAND, CA - JUNE 13: J.R. Smith #5 of the Cleveland Cavaliers goes up for a shot in front of Harrison Barnes #40 of the Golden State Warriors in Game 5 of the 2016 NBA Finals at ORACLE Arena on June 13, 2016 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

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J.R. Smith could’ve made $6,399,750 this season. Instead, he opted out of his contract and is making just $5 million this year on his new deal.

Smith could make $5,375,000 next season if he exercises his player option. This time…

Chris Haynes of Cleveland.com:

Cleveland Cavaliers sharpshooter J.R. Smith will allow his player option deadline of June 16 to pass in order to become a unrestricted free agent this summer, league sources informed cleveland.com.

Smith should get a raise this time. The salary cap is skyrocketing, and Smith has another season of steady focus and production under his belt. He isn’t having the finest Finals, but his defense has improved over a larger sample.

I’d bet on the Cavaliers re-signing him. They won’t have enough cap space to get a better alternative, and they can use Smith’s Bird Rights to exceed the cap.

Also important: Smith now shares an agent, Rich Paul, with LeBron James. That’s a major difference from last year.