This is probably good news for the Cleveland Cavaliers. According to general manager David Griffin, guard J.R. Smith has declined his $6.4 million player option for the 2015-16 season.
J.R. Smith has declined player option to test free agency, GM David Griffin says.
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) June 26, 2015
While Smith did help propel the Cavaliers to the NBA Finals, it became readily apparent as the postseason progressed that he probably didn’t fit into the team’s long-term plans. In fact, head coach David Blatt benched the veteran guard during important stretches of the Finals against the Golden State Warriors.