Cavaliers Waive Smith

CLEVELAND (AP) -- J.R. Smith's never-a-dull-moment run with the Cavaliers is over.

Cleveland released the colorful shooting guard Monday before his $15.6 million contract for next season became guaranteed. The Cavs had been trying to trade Smith for months, but the team was unable to find the right deal even after he agreed to extend his guarantee date from June 30 to July 15.

By waiving Smith, the Cavaliers will open salary-cap space and will move under the luxury tax threshold for next season.

The 33-year-old played in just 11 games last season after he stepped away from the team in hopes of being traded or released. It was a mutual decision because he wasn't happy with his role and the Cavaliers didn't want him to be a negative influence on their young players.

Once he clears waivers, Smith will be a free agent and can sign anywhere. Last week, Smith said he wasn't finished playing and smiled when asked if it's been strange not being part of a team for the past eight months.

"Technically my whole career's been in limbo, so this is easy for me," he said before playing in the All-Star Celebrity Softball Game.

Smith's release ends an interesting tenure with the Cavaliers, who acquired him in a trade from the New York Knicks in 2015.

He was both loved and loathed by Cleveland fans, who were never quite sure what he might do on or off the floor.

One of the NBA's most accurate 3-point shooters, Smith played a vital part in Cleveland winning the 2016 championship, ending a 52-year title drought for the city's three major sports teams. Smith made two 3-pointers during a critical stretch of Game 7 of the Finals, helping the Cavaliers complete a historic comeback from a 3-1 series deficit to dethrone the Golden State Warriors.

A few days after the team's victory, Smith further endeared himself to Cleveland fans by going shirtless and exposing his numerous tattoos while riding in the Cavs' celebratory parade through downtown.

Smith will also be remembered for a gaffe in Game 1 of the 2018 Finals.

In the closing seconds, he grabbed an offensive rebound after a missed foul shot and dribbled out the clock to end regulation, thinking the Cavs were ahead. The game was tied, and Cleveland lost in overtime on the way to being swept in four straight games by the Warriors.

Smith knows some fans won't forgive him, but there are others who appreciate his quirkiness.

Cleveland will always be special.

"That's one of the more stress relievers is being able to feel wanted, even if it's not by the organization, it's the city," he said. "That's bigger to me than anything. The people who spent their hard-earned money to come cheer for you, root for you."

A father of four daughters, Smith said he hopes to be picked up by another team. But if not, he has no regrets.

"I live a good life," Smith said. "There's no reason for me to be stressed or be dissatisfied. I've got four amazing kids. I went through one of the toughest parts of my life with my (premature) daughter. This is easy. This is a cakewalk. Just stay in shape and stay ready to play basketball when I'm called. If I'm not called, I still get to be home with my family."

AP source: Simmons, 76ers agree to $170 million, 5-year deal

PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- The Philadelphia 76ers and star guard Ben Simmons have agreed to a $170 million, five-year contract extension, a person familiar with the situation told The Associated Press. The max deal is the latest big commitment by a team expected to make a serious push at its first NBA championship since 1983.

Simmons, 22, will make about $8.1 million this season, the last of his four-year rookie deal. His salary for the next season will jump to about $29.3 million and rise to nearly $39 million in 2024-25, according to the person who spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity Monday because the contract is not official.

The deal solidifies the 76ers' core for the next few seasons.

All-Star Joel Embiid and Al Horford are under contract though 2023, Tobias Harris through 2024 and now Simmons through 2025. Horford got a $109 million, four-year deal and Embiid agreed last season to a $147 million, five-year deal.

Sixers general manager Elton Brand had until the middle of October to reach a max deal with Simmons but wasted little time in locking up another cornerstone player.

Simmons was the No. 1 overall draft pick in the 2016. He made his NBA debut in the 2017-18 season and was Rookie of the Year. He was an All-Star for the first time last season. He has averaged 16.4 points, 8.5 rebounds and 7.9 assists in his two seasons.

"I think I want to work on everything and continue to let my game grow," Simmons said at the end of the season. "I think the one thing I got a lot better at this season was leadership."

The Sixers were knocked out of the Eastern Conference semifinals for the second straight season.

Philadelphia is 101-58 in regular-season games when Simmons plays. He has had 22 triple-doubles in the last two seasons, tied for third most in the league with Denver's Nikola Jokic and trailing Oklahoma City's Russell Westbrook (59) and the Los Angeles Lakers' LeBron James (26).

Simmons also has had 80 double-doubles over the last two seasons.

But he missed all 11 3-point attempts his rookie season and was 0 for 6 last season, a combination of an awkward shooting form and a hesitancy to keep shooting shots he can't make. Defenses sagged on Simmons daring him to shoot because the speedy All-Star can't do much outside the paint.

"I don't think it's taking shots just to take them," Simmons said. "I think it's just being aggressive and doing my job. I don't think it's any certain shot. But when you give me the ball, I'm able to make plays."

Harris, who re-signed with the Sixers this summer on a $180 million, five-year contract, recently worked out with Simmons in Los Angeles and found him dedicated to improving his shot.

"Everybody was trying to figure out why I was guarding him at the 3-point line, but it was really because he hit two of them," Harris said. "When I dared him to shoot two of them, he hit two in a row. That's why I was there. He's made big improvements on his game. His jump shot is looking really good and he has the confidence to shoot."