JR Smith Reflects on Trade to Cavaliers in Emotional Moment

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Former NBA player JR Smith opened up about the emotional moment he found out he was traded from the New York Knicks to the Cleveland Cavaliers. In a recent interview, Smith shared how he cried when he received the news from Knicks executive Steve Mills.

“I cried. I was in Memphis. I was practicing,” Smith recalled. “We were getting ready for the game and I came back in the locker room and Steve Mills pulled me aside. He said, ‘Yeah man, we just traded you and Iman Shumpert to Cleveland.’”

Smith expressed his feelings at the time, noting that he had concerns about his relationship with the team and the changes happening within the franchise. “And I was just like, ‘Damn, where like, you know, I ain’t want to say nothing of him or whatever,’” Smith added, referencing his thoughts on the situation.

The trade occurred in January 2015, and both Smith and Shumpert played vital roles in helping the Cavaliers reach the NBA Finals that year. Smith said he loved playing for the Knicks, a historic franchise, but gradually grew closer to his new teammates in Cleveland.

After joining the Cavaliers, Smith was part of a team that made NBA history in 2016 by coming back from a 3-1 deficit in the Finals to defeat the Golden State Warriors. Smith reminisced about these experiences and the camaraderie developed with his teammates, including LeBron James.

While Smith and Shumpert are no longer in the NBA, their contributions to the Cavaliers’ success are still remembered, especially their role in winning the championship in 2016. Smith concluded, “It was a tough moment, but it turned out to be a great opportunity.”