J.R. Smith Is Unsure About His Future in Cleveland, Wants $15 Million Per Year to Stay

J.R. Smith is unsure if he's coming back next year to the Cavaliers, even though he says he wants to.

July 18, 2016

Not Available Lead — Image via Complex Original

After J.R. Smith gave us that riveting NBA Finals Game 7 post-game speech about his family and what a championship means to him, most would believe that he's staying put and thankful to be in Cleveland through next year. Even though he's on Easy Street with a championship ring to sport, Smith to opt out of his $5.4 million-player option to seek free agency. Now he has a dilemma of either being a free agent to make more money with another team or coming back for their repeat 2016-2017 championship goals.

He was on ESPN's His & Hers recently to explain his situation:

But he knows that even when he says it's not about the "nice cars and houses" that he family has, it's about getting more money next year rather than taking a pay cut after winning it all. According to Basketball Insiders' Steve Kyler, Smith would like to stay if the Cavs are willing to pay him $15 million per year for his new contract.

The Cavs paid his $5 million last season, and with the big contracts that were being shelled out in this free agent market, J.R. actually has a modest price tag. Smith averaged 12.3 points per game last season, shot 41.5% percent from behind the arc, and is steadily rising up the all-time 3-point scoring list at No. 17 behind Steve Nash.