Former Knicks and Cavs standout J.R. Smith arrested in Texas on assault charge

Former New York Knicks and Cleveland Cavaliers standout J.R. Smith was arrested in Texas on an assault charge Monday, per jail records. TMZ was first to report Smith’s arrest.

Smith — whose given first name is Earl — was arrested by the Royse City Police Department on a charge of assault. The official jail record mentions both “bodily harm” and “family violence” in the description of the charge on Smith’s record.

No additional details were given regarding Smith’s arrest and no bond has been set for the former 16-year NBA veteran.

Smith, a former first-round pick by the New Orleans Hornets, developed into an off-the-bench star after being traded to the Denver Nuggets. He spent five seasons with the team, often contending for the Sixth Man of the Year award.

After a brief stint in China, Smith returned and signed a deal with the Knicks, where he eventually won the Sixth Man of the Year award. During the 2014-15 NBA season, Smith was traded to the Cavaliers to try and help LeBron James win a championship. The Cavaliers succeeded the following year, giving Smith his first NBA championship.

Years later, Smith reunited with James on the Los Angeles Lakers. Smith played in just six regular-season games with the team before seeing time in 10 playoff games with the franchise and winning another title.

Following that victory, Smith decided to enroll back in college and take up golf. He graduated from North Carolina A&T State University in May 2026.