The Dallas Mavericks lost another player who initially committed to them as reports revealed veteran forward Richard Jefferson has decided to sign with the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Jefferson committed to sign a new deal with the Mavericks earlier this month, but multiple reports confirmed the 35-year-old has accepted a one-year minimum deal from the Cavaliers.

Jefferson, who played in 74 regular-season games in Dallas last season, told Mavericks owner Mark Cuban and star forward Chandler Parsons on July 3 that he will return for another year after the Mavs got a verbal commitment from free-agent center DeAndre Jordan.

However, Jordan had a change of heart and decided to return to the Los Angeles Clippers. But unlike Jordan who blindsided the Mavericks when he eventually decided to return to the Clippers, Jefferson informed the Mavericks about his decision before agreeing to a deal with the Cavaliers.

"He called and talked to me," Cuban told ESPN. "RJ said he had an opportunity with an Eastern Conference team. He said he would honor what he [originally agreed to with the Mavs] but thought the other was a better fit. I told him I was OK with it and understood."

Jefferson, who averaged 5.8 points and 2.5 rebounds in 16.8 minutes per game last season, is expected to add wing depth to the Cavaliers next season, especially if the Cavaliers eventually decide not to give James Jones and J.R. Smith new deals this offseason.

Jones is an unrestricted free agent, while Smith opted out of the final year of his contract worth $6.4 million, but has yet to get a new deal from the Cavaliers.

The Northeast Ohio Media Group reported on Monday that Smith is expected to meet with the Cavaliers anytime this week, but the sweet-shooting guard might not get the deal that he is looking for and could even sign a deal lower than the $6.4 million he left on the table when he decided to opt out.

Smith is reportedly looking for a deal worth around $7 to $9 million. The 29-year-old said he has received offers elsewhere, but he wants to return to the Cavaliers for the chance to win a title next season.

"I've gotten offers that I wanted, I mean numbers that I wanted, it's just different situations," said Smith, who averaged 12.1 points on top of 3.1 rebounds and 2.8 assists last season. "Right now it's just a matter of seeing what the Cavs come back to me with. Right now they give me the best opportunity to win."

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