« Reply #69 on: July 07, 2015, 10:02:57 AM »
This trade from the Cavs is about moving Varejao's long term contract and avoiding re-signing JR Smith. If the Cavs do that and let Johnson walk there is a chance they aren't in luxury tax land the following year when the cap jumps and thus can possibly avoid the repeat offender tax.
Johnson is a career 37% shooter from 3, but has been much better when surrounded with better teammates. I would expect him to be near 40% on Cleveland. And that is a consistent 40% i.e. he isn't going to have that many 0 for 10 or 7 for 8 type games. He will be in the consistent 2 for 5 range (unlike Smith who is all over the place). That is what a team like Cleveland needs from what will likely be their back-up SG (I would expect Shumpert to start for his defense). Johnson is also still a decent shot creator which will help the second unit a great deal (along with Williams).
The understanding I've had is that the Cavs still intend to re-sign Smith. It's most about moving on from Varejao's deal and replacing him with a useful player. The fewer minutes LeBron has to play in the regular season, and the more depth they have in the post-season, the better. Andy helps with neither of those. Getting West would have made it a slam-dunk move.
I don't think they re-sign Smith unless it is a one year, veteran minimum type contract. They just don't have minutes for all the guys to the point where it just doesn't make financial sense to keep Smith (if they have Johnson). They'd get more out of a young guy like Harris sitting on the bench then Smith (unless of course Smith signs for small dollars). Now maybe they go nuts and bring Smith back, but Smith was terrible in the Finals and is a total head case. Just not a guy they will lock up long term, especially with Joe Johnson.
Now if they don't trade for Johnson, I'd expect Smith back.

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2025 Historical Draft - Cleveland Cavaliers - 1st pick
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