Cavs Cut JR Smith

After failing to find the right trade to benefit the team, the Cavaliers have decided to part ways with shooting guard J.R. Smith by waiving him on Monday. It was first reported by Cleveland.com Cavs beat reporter Chris Fedor and later confirmed by the Cavaliers per this official press release:

CAVALIERS WAIVE JR SMITH

CLEVELAND – The Cleveland Cavaliers have waived guard JR Smith, Cavaliers General Manager Koby Altman announced today from Cleveland Clinic Courts.

Smith (6-6, 225) played in 11 games (four starts) for Cleveland last season and averaged 6.7 points in 20.2 minutes per game. He was originally acquired by the Cavaliers in a three-team trade with New York and Oklahoma City on January 5, 2015 and in his four-plus seasons with the team, he appeared in 255 contests (222 starts), averaging 10.3 points and 2.9 rebounds in 29.3 minutes per game. Smith was a starter on the Cavaliers’ four consecutive NBA Finals teams (2015-2018), which included the franchise’s first-ever NBA Championship in 2016.

Once Smith clears waivers, the 15 year NBA veteran will become an unrestricted free agent and he will be free to sign with whoever he wants.