I disagree, honestly.
If we don't win the title and he ends up ot being that good, he hill opt-in and then have a contract year knowing he's playing next to LeBron and will be able to garner the most money possible with an estimated 108 million dollar salary cap that summer.
If we DO win the title, and he plays well, or if he just plays really well in general the rest of the year+playoffs, I could see him opting out...but..
I don't see Gilbert letting him go barring some ridiculous offer from another team, and I really don't see many,if any, teams that will be lining up to give J.R. a raise that would make it worth leaving Cleveland. Especially if we win the title, I think Dan makes sure we bring that team back. If anyone of those guys would be the odd-man out mintues wise, it would be Mo just because of how Dellavedova has developed into such a magnificent back-up PG, and Mo is a basically just bench insurance if Kyrie goes down and we need someone to hit some shots like we desperately needed in the finals last year, and also as an offensive spark off the bench, while J.R. is so much more. His athleticism and size and ability to defend(when he's locked in) is just too invaluable. He was arguably better than Shumpert for a majority of last year and we also see him this year, after getting a few games off, start to just toss up big shooting nights and quality performances left and right.
I also think J.R. has incentive to stay, I think he really likes playing here, and I think he makes a some sacrifice to be able to play next to LBJ. I think J.R. would love to finish his career and play our the rest of his prime being a key role player on a winner. To be known as a champion, as a competitor, not a knucklehead loser.
Not to mention, last year Andy essentially becomes an expiring deal, as he is guaranteed a little less than 10 million and then the following year, isn't guaranteed anything. That's where you can expect the Cavs to cut him, and along with the rising cap, we'll be able to cover the rising costs of keeping J.R, and keeping Delly, both of whom I think we need to make a point to keep. Mo is a nice piece, but more expendable than both. Not next year, but after that, we will get nice relief from getting Andy off the books(and depending on his game at the point, maybe re-sign him to a minimum deal)
I just don't think the Gilbert will break off a core piece, especially if we win a title, just to save some money and I think he's proven that he will spend.
In the next two years, Love and Irving will actually look underpaid relative to what all-star level players getting new contracts end up getting paid in the next 2,3 and 4 years/
