J.R Smith - NBA Trade Rumors (Photo : Getty Images)
The Boston Celtics have expressed strong interest in signing free-agent shooting guard J.R Smith, according to Frank Isola of New York Daily News.
After playing a significant role in the Cavaliers' championship run last year, Smith is demanding a contract valued at $15M per year, which is something the Cavs' top brass are reluctant to offer because of their enormous luxury tax bill.
Although Isola still thinks the Cavs will eventually find a way to re-sign Smith, he noted that there are several teams interested in snagging the shooter from the reigning NBA champions. The Celtics apparently is one of them.
The Celtics could offer Smith a contract worth $9 million per year or more, if they decide to trade someone on their roster in order to create cap space.
Frank Isola:
It is likely that Smith, a one-time Sixth Man of the Year with the Knicks, will re-sign with Cleveland but there are several teams that have interest in the shooting guard. One team is the Boston Celtics, whose second unit could certainly use a little scoring punch.
Barring a trade to clear cap space, the Celtics have approximately $9 million to sign Smith. He's looking for a bigger payday, somewhere in the $15 million per season range. The Cavs are currently offering between $10 and $11 million annually. The Celtics would have to get close to $15 million for Smith to want to leave Cleveland to be a back-up to Avery Bradley.
Creating Cap Space for Smith?
For the Celtics to win in the bidding war with the Cavs for Smith, general manager Danny Ainge needs to find a trade partner willing to absorb a mid-level contract without giving back additional salaries.
Jonas Jerebko, who will earn $5M in the final year of his deal, looks to be prime trade chip. Packaging Jerebko with a draft pick or a youngster (Terry Rozier or James Young) would be an enticing trade offer for teams with cap space such as the Philadelphia 76ers, Brooklyn Nets and Denver Nuggets.
Smith averaged 12.4 points on 41 percent FG shooting (40 percent from 3-point territory) in 30 minutes per game for the Cavs last season. He continued to be a factor in the playoffs, as he averaged 11.5 points on 45 percent FG shooting (43 percent from 3-point land).
