Count JR Smith as one of the Cleveland Cavaliers‘ skeptics following their blockbuster trade this week for former NBA MVP James Harden.

Harden on Tuesday was traded to the Cavaliers, with Darius Garland and a second-round draft pick going to the Los Angeles Clippers in return. The move bolsters the Cleveland backcourt with a future Hall of Famer who is pursuing his first championship ring — and a player who can form a lethal partnership with All-Star Donovan Mitchell.

MORE: Donovan Mitchell reveals his thoughts on teaming up with James Harden

But Smith, a two-time NBA champion who won the 2016 NBA Finals with Cleveland, told Lou Williams on FanDuel TV that he “didn’t really understand” why the Cavaliers replaced the ball-dominant Garland with the ball-dominant Harden.

“It’s going to be really interesting to see, especially defensively,” Smith said on Run It Back.

JR Smith on the Cavs trading for James Harden:

“I didn’t really understand it…when you get to the playoffs or the Finals, you’re gonna have to guard somebody.”@MichelleDBeadle | @TeamLou23 | @boogiecousins | @TheRealJRSmith pic.twitter.com/f8TCqDLoJf

— Run It Back (@RunItBackFDTV) February 5, 2026

Smith believes that Harden will struggle to keep up defensively as the playoffs move along. With the possibility that the Cavaliers will have to go through Detroit, for example, and take down the Pistons‘ MVP candidate Cade Cunningham, Smith is worried that Harden will be exposed when he doesn’t have the ball.

“I think the East guard play is easier than the West, but at the same time, when you get to the playoffs or the Finals, you’re gonna have to guard somebody,” Smith said.

Only time will tell if Smith is correct, or if the Cavaliers have made a deal that will catapult them to the Finals.

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