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Washington (AFP) – J.R. Smith, who helped the Cleveland Cavaliers win the 2016 NBA title, will no longer play for the league's worst Cavs as they try to rebuild themselves after losing superstar LeBron James.
The Cavaliers announced that Smith, a 33-year-old guard, "will no longer be part of the team as the organization works with JR and his representation regarding his future".
The move comes just hours after an interview with Smith by The Athletic in which he explained that the Cavs, 2-13 in general and 0-8 on the road, were trying to lose.
"The organization wishes good luck to JR and his family, and appreciates it and thanks him for his contribution to the community, to the team and to his role in the 2016 NBA Championship." said the Cavaliers in a statement.
The Cavaliers will try to exchange Smith and he will work away from the team until his future is settled. He will not participate in the Cavs games, including James' return to Cleveland on Wednesday with his new Los Angeles Lakers teammates.
Smith joined the Cavaliers in 2015 from the New York Knicks and was a key outside shooter in the 2016 championship race of the team, but posted a record average of 6.7 points per game this season.
Smith averaged 12.6 points per game in his first 14 NBA campaigns, including stints in New Orleans and Denver before a 2011-12 season with Chinese Zhejiang Golden Bulls and a return from the NBA with the Knicks.
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