The Cleveland Cavaliers intend to bring back J.R. Smith and Matthew Dellavedova, reports ESPN's Marc Stein.
With the addition of Mo Williams and the rumors that Cleveland was exploring a trade for Jamal Crawford, it looked like Dellavedova and Smith could be on their way out. Smith is reportedly after a three-year commitment that the Cavaliers are hesitant to offer. Despite his NBA Finals heroics, Dellavedova was an average player at best most of the season. Moving on from them and looking for alternatives would make sense. Instead, the Cavaliers want to "keep the band together," according to Stein, while adding more players.
The Cavaliers lacked a good bench last season, resorting to veterans on their last legs to fill it out. It's obvious they are trying to address those issues and appease LeBron James, who made it clear he was not going to start negotiations to re-sign until everyone was brought back. Kevin Love and Iman Shumpert have already inked new deals and Tristan Thompson is expected to do so soon. The remaining pieces from last year's team that have not been retained are Dellavedova and Smith.
Owner Dan Gilbert is clearly ready to spend to improve the team. Cleveland will surely pay the luxury tax next season and is trying to move Brendan Haywood's non-guaranteed contract for immediate help. If the Cavaliers do that and bring everyone back, their salary might reach record levels.
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