The Cleveland Cavaliers acquired JR Smith and Iman Shumpert from the New York Knicks in January 2015. Smith and Shumpert helped the Cavaliers reach the 2015 NBA Finals, where LeBron James and Co. lost to the Golden State Warriors in six games.
Smith did not want to be traded by the Knicks. He told Carmelo Anthony that he cried when the New York-Cleveland trade happened.
“I ain’t going to lie bro, I cried,” Smith said. “I was in Memphis. We were in Memphis. I was working out. We were getting ready for the game and I came back in the locker room and Steve Mills pulled me aside. He’s like, ‘Yeah man, we just traded you and Iman Shumpert to Cleveland.’
“And I was just like, ‘Damn, where like, you know, I ain’t want to say nothing of him or whatever’ because I already had my feelings about him and the situation that we were already in with the new group, new regime, whatever at that time.”
Smith and Shumpert were very close to Anthony. They also loved playing for the Knicks, one of the most historic franchises in sports.
However, Smith and Shumpert eventually grew close to James, Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love. The Cavaliers returned to the NBA Finals in 2016 and made NBA history by becoming the first team to erase a 3-1 series deficit in the Finals.
Cleveland beat Golden State in seven epic games. Irving hit the game-winning shot over Stephen Curry in Game 7, while James had the famous chase-down block on Andre Iguodala.
Smith and James won their second title together in 2020 with the Los Angeles Lakers, who beat the Miami Heat in the Walt Disney World bubble.
Shumpert, Smith and Anthony are no longer in the NBA, while James is still with the Lakers. He’s the oldest active player in the league at 40 years old.
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An insider has revealed how the Boston Celtics could approach the futures of new additions Anfernee Simons and Georges Niang. The Boston Celtics have been trying to find another trade partner to reroute a couple of players they have acquired in trades this offseason, after trading both Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis. Boston got Simons in return for Holiday, and Niang (plus a second-round pick) in return for Porzingis. It doesn't seem like the Celtics want to keep either player for the long term. The Celtics are still trying to get under the second apron of the luxury tax, so they need to shed more salary. An insider recently gave an update on their goal of trading these players away to achieve that ultimate goal. More news: Celtics Roster ‘Makes Zero Sense’ Says NBA Insider According to Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints, the Celtics will likely enter the season with both Simons and Niang on their roster. He does mention that both of them could still be moved, though. "The Boston Celtics have remained active on the trade market this offseason, even after trading for Simons and Georges Niang," Siegel writes. "While they have talked with teams about both players, the Celtics will likely enter the season with these two on their roster. It is very possible that Simons and/or Niang could be flipped to cut costs at the trade deadline, depending on where Boston is in the Eastern Conference standings. The Celtics do want to see how Simons fits in Joe Mazzulla's system, as he is a player they are intrigued by, given his 3-point shooting prowess." Boston would actually benefit from keeping Simons on the basketball court because of his ability to score and get hot from beyond the 3-point arc. More news: Former Celtics NBA Champion Released By West Squad Niang is also a good 3-point shooter, and the Celtics launch more 3's than any team in the NBA. Keeping both players on the roster into next year would fit their style of play. Simons is on an expiring deal, so they wouldn't have him on their cap sheet long term. Niang is also on an expiring contract, so he wouldn't be on the cap sheet after this year, either. If Boston can find suitable trade partners for them, they will likely move them. If not, they will have to keep them on the roster and shed salary elsewhere on the roster. More news: Jayson Tatum Receives Injury Advice From Former Celtics Forward For more news and notes on the Boston Celtics, visit Boston Celtics on SI.
Being the backup quarterback isn't necessarily the most exciting role for anyone, but for a team like the Miami Dolphins, where starter Tua Tagovailoa has suffered four concussions since entering the NFL in 2020, it could be vital. As of now, a clear battle for that spot has formed between rookie seventh-round pick Quinn Ewers and veteran former first-round selection Zach Wilson as they go head-to-head. Of course, training camp is where these kinds of questions can be solved, and so far, it appears that Ewers has done a good job in putting his best foot forward. On Friday, David Furones of the Sun Sentinel gave a very positive update on the young quarterback, stating, "Dolphins rookie QB Quinn Ewers had a strong third practice of training camp. Made several impressive, big-time throws." The update sparked conversations among many fans, both supporting Ewers and a serious showing that there's interest in seeing who comes out on top. "Show ‘em, Quinn," said one comment. "He just does a lot of things (anticipatory throws, timing throws, MOTF accuracy, etc.) that fit this system much better than what Wilson does. I think with refinement and development we could have a backup in Miami that can operate the offense efficiently…finally," said another. "Love to hear it!" a third added. A fourth stated, "I'd be surprised if he's not the backup.." "I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, Quinn Ewers has the physical tools to stick at the next level. It’s just a matter of shaping the rest," a fifth continued. "That’s QB2 potential QB1 in the future Glad we drafted Ewers," said another. Another big test for both Ewers and Wilson will be during the Dolphins' three preseason games, as the coaching staff will get a much better look at how these two perform during live matchups. Luckily for both, though, being the backup is all they're truly fighting for, as Kyle Crabbs of A to Z Sports predicts that each will make the final 53-man roster, with cuts needing to be made by Aug. 27.
With the trade for Ryan McMahon now complete, it would seem New York Yankees’ general manager Brian Cashman has fulfilled one of his three priorities. He can now cross third base off the list, which leaves the rotation and bullpen as his remaining priorities. However, according to one Yankees writer, Cashman might not be done with the infield. Chris Kirschner of The Athletic reported this after the McMahon trade: “The Yankees may not be done adding to their infield. A team source said the Yankees are interested in adding a right-handed hitter who could play the infield.” Kirschner adds that the Yankees have had interest in Willi Castro and Amed Rosario. But the question now is, how would another player fit in the Yankees’ infield? Needless to say, Paul Goldschmidt and Jazz Chisholm Jr. aren’t going anywhere, and McMahon is just getting there. That leaves the low-hanging fruit. Anthony Volpe has been at the center of controversy all this season. His 13 errors, many of which had come at make-or-break moments, amount to the second-highest total in the game. In addition, his bat has not been able to compensate, hitting .214/.286/.407 with 14 home runs. There was always a lot to like about Volpe. He won a Gold Glove in his rookie year, his power has always been promising and his speed is nothing to scoff at. Unfortunately, his glove has become a liability and his speed has also produced very few results. Volpe has swiped just 10 bags in 17 attempts. His power is the one thing that still has some upside, but it hasn’t been enough to justify a spot in the lineup. Both Castro and Rosario have been far more productive at the plate this season than Volpe. Kirschner doesn’t clarify how serious the Yankees are in their pursuit of another infielder, but that most likely isn’t available information. Having just turned 24, Volpe could still become the type of player that was expected from him as a top prospect. However, his recent performance has weighed heavily on his team’s efforts and it may be buying him a ticket out of the Bronx — or at least a spot on the bench.
Three days into training camp, with a day off Saturday, the Green Bay Packers announced the final signing to fill the 91-player offseason unit: cornerback Garnett Hollis Jr., added as undrafted free agent by the Titans in May but released later to clear roster room. Hollis joins Green Bay Packers’ motley crew of CBs behind top 3 guys Hollis played four seasons in college, his last with West Virginia after transferring from Northwestern. In three years of real playing time, he recorded 120 tackles, 2 INTs, and 12 passes defensed. He started 29 of 39 career games. The 6-foot, 199-pound corner is a native of Nashville, Tennessee, but will head back north for the summer. The Packers have announced that he will wear no. 41 during camp. Although the 90th and 91st signings were named together in the team’s formal release, the arrival of running back Israel Abanikanda, a waiver pickup from San Francisco, was reported yesterday by various sources. Over at cornerback, Hollis will join fellow rookies Jonathan Baldwin, Tyron Herring, and Micah Robinson, Green Bay’s penultimate pick of the 2025 draft at 237th overall. In addition to that group is a number of fringe players with or without NFL snaps. Bo Melton has also completed his CB position switch from receiver. The only sure things at the position are Keisean Nixon, free agent signing Nate Hobbs, and third-year man Carrington Valentine. According to his West Virginia bio, Hollis earned a bachelor’s degree from Northwestern in education and social policy, and worked toward a master’s in sports management while with the Mouintaneers. Although undrafted free agents, let alone 91st signings, have an uphill battle, playing alongside a guy like Valentine, who has made a career for himself as a former 232nd pick, can offer encouragement. Per Spotrac, Hollis, 23, made $82,500 in guaranteed money, including a $12,500 signing bonus, from his contract with Tennessee.
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