NBA Trade: Cleveland Cavaliers Should Shop JR Smith Contract; LeBron James, Kyrie Irving Need Better Backup

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 Cleveland Cavaliers are on their way to becoming the Eastern Conference champions third year in a row. With LeBron James, Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love leading the Iman Shumpert squad, fans are confident that the team would be defending their NBA title in the Finals soon. However, a widespread fear has been plaguing the Tristan Thompson team as the JR Smith injury updates fail to bring in any good news - one that may lead to an NBA trade mid-season.

The latest on the JR Smith injury drama has the former New York Knicks star scheduled for a thumb surgery. Without him alongside LeBron James, Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love this season, the games are set to become more difficult to win for the Cleveland Cavaliers. With this in mind, an NBA trade is anticipated this season in an effort to keep the Larry O'Brien NBA Championship Trophy with the Iman Shumpert squad.

One of the NBA trade possibilities involves JR Smith. Although the Cleveland Cavaliers have been sympathetic of his situation, a trade might be in order if they want to keep the championship in their corner. Despite the surging performances from LeBron James, Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love, the Big 3 will not be enough to fight off the likes of the Golden State Warriors' super team featuring Kevin Durant, Stephen Curry and Draymond Green or the San Antonio Spurs with Kawhi Leonard, LaMarcus Aldridge and Danny Green. Hence, an NBA trade should be seriously considered by the King James team as early as now.

The JR Smith contract may not be an ideal bargaining chip, but the performance of the former New York Knicks star in the past NBA championship could encourage other basketball teams to invest in him. Speculations point to a possible NBA trade with the Miami Heat, Sacramento Kings, Houston Rockets and Los Angeles Lakers if the terms are agreeable to all concerned. However, the Cleveland Cavaliers have yet to officially comment on the NBA trade. As of now, the NBA champions are focused on the JR Smith injury and his recovery before the crucial matchups begin.

"For me, it's always been most important having health, so if it's a chance we can get (home court advantage), great, but if our health is gonna be a factor in that, then I'll take health over home court," commented Tyronn Lue of the JR Smith injury issues.

What do you think? Should a JR Smith contract be included in an NBA trade deal this season? Will the JR Smith injury concerns finally push LeBron James, Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love to withdraw support from the former New York Knicks star?

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