Cavaliers allow guard J.R. Smith to leave team while seeking trade

From a shirtless title celebration to throwing soup at an assistant coach, J.R. Smith’s wild run with the Cavaliers ended Tuesday, with the team issuing a statement he was stepping away while it seeks a trade partner for the 33-yearold guard.

“J.R. Smith will no longer be with the team as the organization works with J.R. and his representation regarding his future,” the statement said. “The organization wishes J.R. and his family well and appreciates and thanks him for his contributions in the community, to the team and his role in the 2016 NBA Championship.”

That came minutes after a report by Joe Vardon of The Athletic that said the split was “amicable” and a buyout is not in the works at this time.

Following Monday’s loss in Detroit that dropped the Cavs to 2-13, Smith told Jason Lloyd of The Athletic that he did not want to play for a team that has no interest in winning. But he resisted a buyout, even though his contract makes it difficult for the Cavs to trade him. Smith’s salary this season is $14.7 million and $3.87 million more is guaranteed for 2018-19 if he’s let go by June 30.

“I don’t want my legacy to be remembered like that in Cleveland,” Smith told Lloyd in regards to a buyout. “I don’t think that’s fair to the people I see every single day walking around the arena. I don’t think that’s fair to the trainers or equipment guys . ... I just look at it differently than being traded. I don’t like the statement of getting bought out.”