NBA Trade Deadline: 3 players who are set to leave the Cleveland Cavaliers

#1 J.R. Smith

Cleveland Cavaliers v Detroit Pistons

The Cavaliers made J.R. Smith available for trade back in November after the veteran point guard publicly criticized the direction of the franchise. Despite this, Smith is still a member of the Cavs roster, as rival teams have been uninterested in taking on board Smith's huge $14.7 million contract. Nevertheless, an update earlier this week confirmed that Smith is closing in a departure:

Exiled guard J.R. Smith may be somewhere closer to accepting a buyout after the trade deadline, after all. He has been working out and wants to play. Teams such as the Rockets and Warriors may be willing to give Smith a shot.

A buyout would make J.R. Smith a much more attractive for teams around the league, and if the veteran is available on a veterans minimum deal, there will be huge interest in a player who last season averaged 8.3 points, 2.9 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game.