The partially guaranteed contract of J.R. Smith is appearing to not be as valuable as they previously thought, according to Joe Vardon of The Athletic.

The Cavaliers kept Smith away from the team since late November, but they didn't cut him because they viewed his contract as a valuable trade chip.

Smith only has $4 million of his $15 million salary guaranteed, but it counts fully for trade purposes. The Cavaliers were hoping to acquire a first round pick for Smith's contract.

The Cavaliers need to finish the 19-20 season below the $132 million luxury tax line, which leaves them little margin for error in taking back a contract as part of the Smith trade in order to acquire a draft asset.

“We’re definitely going to investigate what we can do there,” Koby Altman said. “There’s a pain threshold in doing it.”