CLEVELAND -- On Wednesday, ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski and Brian Windhorst reported that Cleveland Cavaliers guard J.R. Smith "considered taking some time away from the team" after once again falling out of its rotation.
Hours later, the 15th-year guard took to Twitter to not only deny the report, but clarify the situation.
"False!" Smith wrote while retweeting an article. "They gave me the option an I chose to stay!"
The controversy surrounding Smith comes one day after he didn't appear in the Cavs' 136-114 victory over the Atlanta Hawks -- the team's first victory of the 2018-19 season. It marked the second "did not play" when healthy the veteran swingman has rec received this, the other coming during Cleveland's Oct. 21 loss vs. the Hawks.
Although -- according to Smith -- he opted to remain with the team, the former NBA Sixth Man of the Year's future with the Cavs is very much in question. Late-Tuesday night, Windhorst and Wojnarowski reported the team had begun to explore the trade market for sharpshooter Kyle Korver and could soon do the same with the remaining veteran players on its roster.
Smith would obviously fit that bill, although his sizable contract could create potential complications with prospective partners. Entering this season, the 33-year-old still had two years and $30.4 million remaining on his contract, although only $3.87 million of his $15.86 million salary next season is guaranteed.
In four games this season, Smith has averaged 2.5 points on .231 percent shooting.