The Boston Celtics could sign JR Smith this summer, with the one-time NBA champ yet to agree on a new contract with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Smith has yet to agree on a new deal with the Cavs, with the 30-year-old shooting guard reportedly seeking a huge deal in the range of $15 million a year, according to Steve Kyler of Basketball Insiders.
With the Cavs very limited in cap space, and probably still looking for ways to secure free agent LeBron James, it would be difficult for the defending champs to being back Smith on such a high price. This could also open up a possibility of Smith joining another team after helping the Cavs win their first ever NBA title.
According to the Inquisitr writer Evan Massey, one team that should attempt to land Smith is the Boston Celtics, who have already revamped their roster by adding All-Star center Al Horford.
"J.R. Smith is widely expected to re-sign with the Cleveland Cavaliers when everything is said and done, but the Celtics should swoop in and make an aggressive move trying to sign him," Massey wrote.
After missing out on the Kevin Durant sweepstake, the Celtics are still actively seeking pieces to upgrade their roster, including rumored trade deals involving Russell Westbrook, Blake Griffin and Jahlil Okafor. But if the Celtics fail to acquire any of the mentioned names, Smith should be an attainable quality acquisition for Boston.
Despite the Celtics suddenly becoming a legit force in the league, the team still needs to add shooters to complement Horford's inside game. Smith should fill in well after averaging 12.4 points on 41.5 percent shooting from the field, including 40 percent from downtown.
According to Ted Crow of The Plain Dealer, the Cavs are monitoring the kind of offers Smith could receive from interested rivals, "hoping that Smith's market value skews a little lower than the $15 million per year Smith wants."
The Celtics could make it difficult for the Cavs to retain Smith if Boston hands out a lucrative offer. But considering the key players the Cavs lost this offseason, they are expected to make all the efforts to keep hold of the veteran shooting guard.