Cavs’ Smith could bring cap relief

The Heat has expressed interest in trading for Cleveland Cavaliers guard J.R. Smith’s unique contract in a move that could create more spending flexibility for Miami this offseason, according to The Athletic’s Shams Charania.

As reported last week, NBA officials who spoke to the Heat say Miami remains intent on trying to trade one of a few contracts with multiple years remaining, with James Johnson and Dion Waiters considered available on the trade market.

The reason Smith’s contract is appealing: Even though he’s due $15.6 million next season, only $3.87 million is fully guaranteed. So a team that traded for Smith could waive him by a July 1 deadline, with only $3.87 million counting on that team’s payroll and salary cap for next season.

That would be Miami’s presumed intent if it traded for Smith, 33, who averaged 6.7 points in 11 games last season.

Another reason a pursuit of Smith’s contract would be appealing to Miami: Smith’s full cap hit ($15.6 million) is used for trade purposes, not the small guaranteed amount. That means the Heat, hypothetically, could trade Johnson (due $15.1 million next season) or Waiters (due $13.1 million next season) for Smith within salary cap rules.

Whether Miami would have interest in trading Johnson or Waiters for essentially nothing but cap relief is unclear.

NBA FINALS

Kevin Durant (strained calf) still isn’t ready to return for the Warriors and will miss Game 3 against the Raptors on Wednesday.

Warriors guard Klay Thompson practiced and is questionable with a mild strain to his left hamstring. Backup big man Kevon Looney is out with a nondisplaced cartilage fracture of his collarbone area.