J.R. Smith is set to sign a new deal with the Cleveland Cavaliers but accordingly, he is demanding a $75 million five-year agreement with the NBA team. However, the Cleveland Cavaliers is reportedly not giving in to his demands resulting in Smith skipping the minicamp of the team this week.
According to reports, Smith is one of the few free agents who has not yet signed a contract with the Cleveland Cavaliers and that the NBA team initially offered a $10 million per season deal with him. The 31-year-old shooter reportedly declined and he instead demanded a $15 million per season deal with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Smith said in a recent interview, however, that he does not want to feel that he is taking advantage of the Cleveland Cavaliers for everything they have done for him as he believes there should be a mutual respect between them. He pointed out that his demands is just not about the money and is more about the length of his contract with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Sportsrageous reported.
Cleveland Cavaliers reportedly has a problem regarding the deal because they are now over $22 million over the $94 million salary cap. If they will be giving in to the demand of Smith for $75 million, they will go over the cap once again. Cleveland Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert said that he is willing to pay the luxury tax for huge amounts in order to keep the team together.
ESPN also reported that Smith will not be attending the Cleveland Cavaliers minicamp this week in California due to the pending contract signing. Cleveland Cavaliers players and coaches are set to gather for workouts for several days this week in Santa Barbara. Smith, his agent Rich Paul, and the Cleveland Cavaliers have been talking about the contract since July this year.
This is not the first time that Cleveland Cavaliers had a player who did not participate in training camp. Last year, Tristan Thompson missed most of the training camp due to the delay in his contract signing. Eventually, the Cleveland Cavaliers agreed to a five-year deal worth $82 million.
Cleveland Cavaliers is yet to comment on their plans regarding Smith's contract.
