The Cleveland Cavaliers have come to an agreement with J.R. Smith to push back the guarantee date of his contract from Sunday night until July 15 to allow the team more time to trade him, sources told ESPN.com.
Only $3.9 million of Smith’s $15.6 million salary was guaranteed, making him an option for teams looking to clear salary room. In consideration of Smith pushing the date back, his guarantee increased to $4.4 million, sources said.
As part of the deal, the date can be pushed again to Aug. 1 and his guarantee would increase to $5.2 million. Smith left the Cavs last November after playing just 11 games and the Cavs have been trying to trade him ever since.
Smith is expected to eventually be waived by the Cavs or another team he is traded to and is expected to be a free agent target of the Los Angeles Lakers, sources said.
The Athletic first reported the sides agreed to extend the deadline.