NBA Rumors: Miami Heat Eye JR Smith Trade; Hassan Whiteside, Goran Dragic Want Cavs Star

By Mitch de Leon
JR Smith
NBA rumors point to a JR Smith deal with the Miami Heat this offseason. Will LeBron James let the former New York Knicks star go? Keith Allison/Wikimedia Commons

The Miami Heat roster remains to have big holes in both offense and defense despite losing LeBron James nearly two years ago. The problem worsened when Dwyane Wade opted to abandon ship and sign with the Chicago Bulls alongside Jimmy Butler and Rajon Rondo. With the Eastern Conference shaping up into a way more competitive division this NBA offseason, Pat Riley appears to be ready to finally bring out the big guns. Reports indicate that the Miami Heat are ready to offer a JR Smith trade to the Cleveland Cavaliers.

One of the most pressing dilemmas between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the JR Smith contract is money. Since LeBron James just signed a massive three-year deal with the Kyrie Irving squad, it seems unlikely that they will be able to accommodate the salary demands of the former New York Knicks star. Can the Miami Heat offer such massive deal to JR Smith instead?

Ever since the Miami Heat lost to the Kevin Durant free agency campaign and saw Dwyane Wade walk out at around the same period, the Hassan Whiteside squad had been known to have the salary cap space to sign any player they want this offseason. Will they splurge on a JR Smith contract?

The reputation of JR Smith in the NBA has been spotty ever since he came in. With his disappointing stint with the New York Knicks, the 30-year-old basketball star had been seeking redemption in the hardwood court. Hence, the NBA championship ring he finally got with LeBron James last season proved to be the fruit of his labor.

Instead of immediately re-signing with the Cleveland Cavaliers, however, a JR Smith contract remains unfinished. Moreover, the point guard has been open to NBA trade offers from other teams throughout the offseason. With this in mind, fans point to the Miami Heat as the possible next stop for JR Smith.

At this point, the parties concerned have yet to comment on the NBA rumors tagging the Miami Heat, JR Smith and the Cleveland Cavaliers. The speculations remain unconfirmed and the future of the former New York Knicks star is still uncertain. One thing is sure, though, the Cleveland Cavaliers star is fed up in answering all the JR Smith contract questions from the public.

"I know you guys are going to ask me about my contract situation," said JR Smith. He added, "You've got my agent's number so you all can call him. Rich Paul. You all know what it is. Klutch. You dig?"

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