J.R. Smith

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Smith's journey to Cleveland began on January 5, 2015, when he was acquired in a three-team trade. His impact was immediate and profound during the 2015–16 season, where he started every single game of the regular season (77 games) and all 21 playoff contests. He set a franchise single-season record with 204 three-pointers made, ranking seventh in the league while shooting .400 from beyond the arc. In the playoffs alone, Smith made a franchise-record 65 three-pointers, the fourth-most by any NBA player in a single postseason. During the NBA Finals, he scored in double figures in each of the last five games, helping Cleveland go 4–1 over that stretch to secure the title. His tenure was not without turbulence; on April 27, 2015, he was suspended for the first two games of the Eastern Conference semifinals after making contact with Jae Crowder's head. Despite this, his resilience and shooting prowess made him a cornerstone of the championship core alongside LeBron James and Kyrie Irving.

In Their Own Story

The 2016 NBA Finals against the Golden State Warriors tested Cleveland to its limits. Smith started in all 21 playoff games that season, averaging 11.5 points and 3.2 rebounds while shooting from deep with lethal efficiency. In Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals against the Atlanta Hawks, he made eight three-pointers and scored 28 points in a decisive 97–89 victory, helping the team sweep the Hawks to reach the Finals. Throughout the championship run, Smith's role was vital; he finished with 65 playoff threes, a mark that stood as a franchise record. On December 13, during the regular season, he overcame a severe shooting slump—having entered the game at career lows of 31% from the field and 32% on threes—to score 17 of his season-high 23 points in the first half against the Memphis Grizzlies. This resilience culminated in Cleveland overcoming a 3–1 deficit to win their first NBA title, with Smith scoring double figures in the final five games of the series.

Reader's Guide

J.R. Smith's time with the Cavaliers spanned from his acquisition on January 5, 2015, through the 2018–19 season. He re-signed with the team on September 2, 2015, and again on October 15, 2016, agreeing to a four-year deal worth $57 million that resolved a contract stalemate lasting nearly three weeks of training camp. His playing style was characterized by an aggressive approach to scoring, often relying on deep three-pointers and transition opportunities rather than structured half-court sets. He holds the franchise record for most three-pointers made in a single season (204) and the most in a single postseason (65). Smith also set a career milestone on November 18, 2016, moving past Dirk Nowitzki to 15th place on the NBA's all-time three-pointer list. While his tenure included suspension due to an on-court incident with Jae Crowder and injury struggles like a fractured right thumb in December 2016 requiring surgery, his contributions to the 2016 championship remain his defining legacy with the franchise.

Did You Know?

• Smith made a franchise playoff-record 65 three-pointers during Cleveland's 2016 championship run.
• He set a single-season franchise record with 204 three-pointers made in the 2015–16 season.
• On April 27, 2015, Smith was suspended for two games after making contact with Jae Crowder's head.
• In December 2016, he suffered a fractured right thumb that required surgery and kept him out for 12–14 weeks.
• Smith became the first NBA player ever to record multiple games of 10+ three-pointers while playing for other teams before joining Cleveland.