JR Smith Rumors: Teams Monitoring If Cavs Buy Out SG After NBA Trade Deadline

NBA teams have begun to monitor the status of exiled Cleveland Cavaliers guard JR Smith as a potential post-deadline buyout candidate.

Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium reported the news, noting it is possible Smith is traded before the deadline.

The veteran guard has not been with the Cavs for more than a month. He and the organization mutually agreed for him to stay away from the team while it works on a potential trade.

Cleveland coach Larry Drew was not using Smith as part of the rotation because the team is emphasizing playing time for its young players.

Smith's contract puts the Cavs in a unique position whereby keeping him on the roster is probably the most prudent move.

His $15.7 million salary for 2019-2020 carries only $3.9 million in guarantees. The Cavs could be incentivized to keep Smith until after the 2019 draft, hoping to acquire a promising young player or draft picks in exchange for giving a team salary relief.

A team with a bad long-term contract on its books would trade for Smith before cutting him themselves, shaving $11.8 million off its cap.

The Bucks gave up a future first-round pick as part of a trade that sent George Hill to Milwaukee. Matthew Dellavedova and John Henson went to Cleveland in the three-team deal that included the Washington Wizards.

Hill, like Smith, has a contract that is only partially guaranteed for 2019-2020. Unlike Smith, however, Hill is a usable two-way player who immediately stepped into Milwaukee's rotation.

It's unclear what Smith has left in the tank at this point. He's coming off an abysmal 2017-18 campaign that culminated with one of the most infamous gaffes in NBA history during Game 1 of the NBA Finals.

He was also averaging just 6.7 points and 1.9 assists on 34.2 percent shooting during his 11-game stint with the Cavs this season.

Any team acquiring Smith would view him as a salary dump first and hope a trade reignites some fire in his waning career.