It was a curious move by JR Smith to opt out of his $6 million plus deal.
While it is understandable players want to sign a long-term deal sooner than later, in JR’s case it would seem another year with LeBron would have beneficial for his career.
JR has figured that out, might be too late though.
Here is what JR had to say to Cleveland.com.
“That’s always part of the gamble of opting out,” Smith told the Northeast Ohio Media Group on Monday at the Four Seasons hotel in Las Vegas, where the NBA players’ union held its summer meeting.
Asked if he regretted his decision to decline his contract option, Smith said “Uh, I mean, yes and no.
“No because I’ve gotten offers that I wanted, I mean numbers that I wanted, it’s just different situations,” Smith said. “Right now it’s just a matter of seeing what the Cavs come back to me with. Right now they give me the best opportunity to win.”
Asked for the reasons why he does regret his contract decision, he said “just because I would be secure and I would already know I’m where I want to be.
“I wouldn’t have to go through this whole thought process anymore,” he said.
Smith will have to take a paycut to come back to Cavs and it might be a one year deal, so it really made no sense to opt out.
Classic JR Smith.