Let the shirtless glee continue in the Northeast Ohio area.
According to a report by Chris Haynes of Cleveland.com on Friday, Cavs guard J.R. Smith, currently an unrestricted free agent, is still expected to re-sign with the defending champs.
The 30-year-old Smith, who, like teammates LeBron James and Tristan Thompson is represented by agent Rich Paul, opted to decline his $5.4 million player option for the 2016-17 season to test the market.
Smith was an underappreciated but nonetheless indispensable piece for Cleveland in their championship run with his knockdown three-point shooting, his ability to create his own shot in the rare times the Cavs’ offense sputtered, and his improved focus on the defensive end. He also stole the show with a candid, emotional speech about his family after winning the title as well as his bare-skinned antics throughout the celebration period.
The former Sixth Man of the Year has become not just a beloved character but a meaningful contributor to the Cavs team, and they would do well to bring him back for their championship defense.
