- Report: Eastern conference executive says Andre Drummond ‘definitely out of Cleveland’
- Former NBA executive discloses how much Cavs would likely pay Jarrett Allen in long-term deal
- Andre Drummond has hilarious reaction to finding out Cavs traded for another center in Jarrett Allen
- Report: Cavs waive 2 players in aftermath of blockbuster James Harden trade
- Report: Cavs acquire Jarrett Allen and Taurean Prince in blockbuster James Harden deal
- Report: Cavs helping Kevin Porter Jr. ‘get his life together before putting him on the court’
- Report: Cavs reveal MRI results of Collin Sexton’s latest injury
- Report: Cavs considered adding Jeremy Lin before signing Yogi Ferrell
- Kevin Porter Jr. highlights relationship with Carmelo Anthony as he remains away from Cavs
- Report: Steve Nash continues to have no update on Kyrie Irving’s mysterious absence from Nets
Report: J.R. Smith to Replace Dwyane Wade in Cleveland Cavaliers Starting Lineup
- Updated: October 23, 2017

The early-season struggles of Cleveland Cavaliers shooting guard Dwyane Wade have been frustrating for the 15-year veteran as he seeks to determine his role on the team. As a result, Cavs head coach Tyronn Lue indicated on Monday that Wade had asked him to come off the bench, which will result in J.R. Smith returning to the starting lineup.
Dwyane Wade said that he felt it was time for him to come off the bench and run the second unit. Basically said, why wait? #Cavs pic.twitter.com/V9BPsZgrxZ
— clevelanddotcom Cavs (@PDcavsinsider) October 23, 2017
In the team’s three games this season, the 35-year-old Wade has averaged just 5.6 points and 3.3 assists per game. Even more alarming has been his 28 percent field-goal percentage on 7-of-25 shooting from the field and his 33.3 percent shooting from beyond the three-point line.
Prior to the start of this season, Smith had started 157 of the 167 regular season games he’s played with the Cavs after being acquired along with Iman Shumpert in January 2015. In his three games this year, Smith has hit on 54.5 percent of his two-point field goal attempts, but has struggled from long-range. In the latter area, he’s hit just 2-of-13 for a success rate of just 15.4 percent.
Smith’s first start will come on Tuesday night against Wade’s most recent team, the Chicago Bulls. Tipoff will be just after 7 p.m. ET.
You must be logged in to post a comment Login