Cavaliers' J.R. Smith: Will make preseason debut Tuesday

Smith will make his preseason debut Tuesday against the Wizards, but is only expected to play around 12-to-13 minutes, Marla Ridenour of the Akron Beacon Journal reports.

Analysis:

It hasn't been determined whether Smith will come off the bench or immediately reclaim the starting role at shooting guard, as using the veteran on the second unit may be an easier way for coach Tyronn Lue to manage the playing time. Smith, who re-signed with the Cavs on a four-year contract Friday, seems to have kept himself well-conditioned while he remained away from the team during training camp, but Lue will still look to ease him back into the fold. With the Cavs kicking off regular season play Oct. 25, Smith will have a little more than a week to get back up to full speed, so he should be ready to slide back into the starting five by that time without facing any minute restrictions.