JR Smith away from Cavs as his team seeks trade

JR Smith and the Cleveland Cavaliers have mutually agreed that he will leave the team while both parties are working to find a trade, sources told ESPN.

The team released a statement Tuesday acknowledging the arrangement.

"The organization wishes JR and her family all the best, and she appreciates it and thanks her for her contribution to the community, the team and her role in the 2016 NBA Championship." he declared.

Smith and the front office of the Cavaliers have been in disagreement all season. General Manager Koby Altman had previously spoken of his departure from the team and Smith had chosen to stay. But the situation ignited on Monday when Smith granted an interview to The Athletic in which he essentially accused the Cavs of tanking.

"I do not think the goal is to win.The goal is not to go out there and try to get as many wins as possible "Smith told The Athletic. "I think the goal is to develop and lose to get lottery choices, I think that has always been the plan."

Smith, who played only six minutes in the Caval defeat at Detroit, had already called for an exchange and will now settle privately until it can be implemented. The two sides are not currently considering a buyback mechanism, sources said. Smith earns $ 14.7 million this season, and $ 3.8 million of his $ 15.6 million salary for next season is guaranteed.

Smith's playing time had a role in coach Tyronn Lue who had been fired by the franchise earlier this season. Lue has favored veteran players such as Smith, Kyle Korver and Channing Frye, while the front-runner has preferred the Cavs to play against younger players.

The Cavs are 2-13 and the franchise player Kevin Love is indefinitely after an operation at the toe. If the Cavs draft pick is not in the top 10 this season, the selection will go to the Atlanta Hawks as part of an exchange for Korver in 2017. This factor could prompt the Cavs to make sure that they end up with one of the worst records in the league.

Smith's contract has a derogation clause in the collective agreement, which allows him to count his full salary during the 2019-2020 season in possible transactions. Under the new rules, only the guaranteed portion of a salary can be accounted for reconciliation purposes. Because of this, Smith's contract has a measure of value in trade next summer and because of this the Cavs have been reluctant to buy Smith, sources said.

Smith, 33, is posting a career-high 6.7 points and only 34% this season.

The Cavs host former star LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday.