Cavaliers Nation Predictions: Which Cleveland Cavaliers Players Are Staying and Which Are Leaving?

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3. J.R. Smith

J.R. Smith of the Cleveland Cavaliers

What you see is what you get from J.R. Smith.

When Smith is hot, he can’t be stopped. When he is cold, well, he can’t be stopped either.

He is wildly inconsistent, but is a dangerous three-pointer shooter who can prove to be valuable when your offense is in need of scoring. Great performances like Game 1 versus the Atlanta Hawks in the Eastern Conference Finals where he scored 28 points is why you want Smith on your team.

But then you come across a series like the one he had versus the Warriors where he shot 31 percent from the field and 29 percent from beyond the arc and you think to yourself, why is this guy on my roster?

While many have mixed feelings about J.R., LeBron likes him. Smith has just opted out of his contract to become a free agent, but he is still likely to return as he looks to make more money.

What to expect in regards to Smith? Expect him to be back. It is likely Cleveland chooses between Smith or Shumpert at shooting guard and because the team desperately needs a three-point shooter, the veteran shooting guard will be kept for that very reason.

Prediction: Staying

Next: Tristan Thompson


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D.J. Siddiqi is a staff writer for Cavaliers Nation. He has followed the NBA passionately since the 90's and has taken a keen interest in following LeBron James' career since he was drafted with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2003 draft. Once a critic of LeBron, DJ has grown to admire James as he has evolved from 18-year-old phenom to a four-time MVP and two-time NBA Champion. He looks forward to bringing his knowledge of the game to Cavaliers Nation.