NBA Rumors: J.R. Smith Talked To Sixers; Still Remains Unsigned

NBA Rumors: J.R. Smith talked to the Philadelphia 76ers, but still remains unsigned as interested reportedly dwindled between the two sides

More from Sir Charles In Charge

Oddly enough, even though J.R. Smith played like the Cleveland Cavaliers’ second-best player for much of the playoffs, he remains unsigned in August. Most, if not all, the free agent class has dried up, and still not one team has shown enough interest in the 29-year-old shooting guard to make a “good enough” contract offer.

And it’s not like Smith is making demands, at least not publicly. All he’s said thus far is that he wants to be on a team where his play can have an impact.

Interestingly, the most recent team that showed even the slightest interest in potentially signing Smith was the Philadelphia 76ers. That, not surprisingly, eventually dwindled too, according to Fox Sports’ Sam Amico.

If push comes to shove, which it now apparently has, it appears that Smith is going to have to take a discount in order play in the NBA this season. He’ll have to bet on himself on a one-year deal.

"[via ESPN]The shooting guard remains part of the free agent market as he has yet to come to terms with the Cleveland Cavaliers or another NBA team. Smith declined his $6.4 million player option for 2015-16 and it looks like he’ll have to accept a deal paying less this coming season. According to Smith, he’s just looking for the best place where he can succeed. “I just want to be somewhere I can make a difference,” Smith tells the Pacific Daily News. “I don’t want to be somewhere I can’t have an affect on the team.” Smith also said he doesn’t care if he starts or comes off the bench."

J.R. Smith opted out of the final year of his contract with the Cleveland Cavaliers earlier this summer with the expectation that he would be able to ink a long term contract or get a raise. Evidently, neither of those two things has happened so far this summer.