NBA Rumors: J R Smith Stalemate Heats Up Ties to 76ers
By Bret Stuter
Cleveland Cavaliers Shooting Guard J R Smith contract talks have stalled. As if on queue, he is already being linked to the Philadelphia 76ers
I guess it’s making the NBA top ten playlist. NBA veteran seeks better deal with his current team. Talks stall. Rumors suddenly appear about the Philadelphia 76ers backing up a Brink’s truck filled with cash to sign the player. Silence. Then an announcement that the veteran has signed with his original team, for much more than was originally offered. Guard Jamal Crawford rejected a one year $25 Million offer from the Philadelphia, using that to get a better deal form his team
They offered Jamal Crawford $25 million for one year... made crazy runs like that at a lot of veteran guards. https://t.co/p4paJbfJ6r
— Steve Kyler (@stevekylerNBA) July 7, 2016
So too, the Philadelphia 76ers made a huge offer to San Antonio Spurs’ veteran guard manu Ginobili, only to have the same result:
Sources: 76ers force Spurs to more than triple their initial offer to re-sign Manu Ginobili. @WojVerticalNBA report. https://t.co/u3DhH8NW20
— Ball Don’t Lie (@Balldontlie) July 14, 2016
So now with two down, the next NBA veteran at the guard position, J.R. Smith, has landed at a spot where his contract negotiations with the Cleveland Cavaliers have stalled to the point where now whispers are that he would consider signing elsewhere to bring home the big paycheck. At least, that is the story now by King James Gospel writer Quenton Albertie.
Why do the Philadelphia 76ers continuously land in these rumors? They are one of the few teams with remaining Cap space to absorb the salary demands of Smith. While many of these stories end up linking the 76ers, the why ends up in the same place – money. But there are more reasons for the team to be linked to Smith.
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