Report: Cavaliers’ J.R. Smith will decline option, become free agent

Smith was widely expected to test free agency this off-season.

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Cleveland Cavaliers guard J.R. Smith will decline the player option on his contract and become a free agent this summer, ESPN’s Brian Windhorst reports.

Smith, 30, would have earned $5.3 million in the second year of the contract he signed with the Cavaliers before this season after being traded from the New York Knicks during the 2014–15 season. He was widely expected to test free agency this off-season.

In his first full season with Cleveland he has averaged 12.4 points, 2.8 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game. Over his 12-year career, Smith has averaged 13.2 points, 3.2 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game. 

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Free agency begins July 1.