CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Neither J.R. Smith nor Mo Williams arrived in Santa Barbara, Calif., Tuesday for the start of LeBron James' minicamp this week, multiple sources told cleveland.com.

For the third consecutive season, James invited his Cavs teammates to work out together ahead of training camp, which begins Monday. The workouts, held this year at the University of California-Santa Barbara, about 90 miles north of James' Los Angeles home, are voluntary and started Wednesday morning.

All the big names -- Kyrie Irving, Kevin Love, Tristan Thompson -- are there. Actually, the only players not there for Wednesday's first workout who you might expect to see wearing a Cavs uniform for the 2017 title defense were Smith and Williams.

Their absences are notable.

Smith, the starting shooting guard for each of their last two Finals runs, remains a free agent and at an impasse with the Cavs in negotiations for a new contract.

The UCSB workouts are not technically a team function -- they are neither run nor sanctioned by the Cavs -- so Smith could attend if he wanted to, break a sweat, and drink some celebratory wine with his friends (future teammates) without harm.

But only players are invited to the sessions, and coach Tyronn Lue and his assistants, as well as members of the team's support staff, are in the vicinity. Smith's agent, Rich Paul, said Smith is not a member of the Cavs right now, so he's not going to be there.

Williams' absence, while not a surprise, is surrounded by a bit more mystery. Sources close to the 33-year-old reserve guard say Williams has had multiple changes of heart this summer over whether or not to retire after 13 pro seasons.

The latest indication he had made, according to one source, was that he was leaning again toward playing. As of late August and early September, the feeling of multiple friends and associates of Williams believed he would retire. His missing of James' workouts, though not necessarily a signal he has again reversed course, clouds the picture.

Should Williams make it to UCSB this week, his intentions would be much clearer.

The Cavs could not find a trade partner for Williams, who will make $2.2 million this season. Williams' agent, Raymond Brothers, has not returned numerous messages seeking comment.

LeBron James works out with trainer Mike Mancias and Randy Mims, his friend and a Cavs support staff member, in the foreground.

Several players and coaches arrived in Santa Barbara Tuesday, though some were still getting there Wednesday morning. According to Richard Jefferson's Snapchat, the team gathered for an 8 a.m. lifting session at UCSB's weight room. Several members of the team -- including James -- and the Cavs' support staff could be seen in the picture.

James also shared several pictures of the team's weights session on his Instagram account, showing Irving, Love, Thompson, Channing Frye, Jordan McRae, Jefferson, Iman Shumpert, and newly acquired Mike Dunleavy, Chris "Bird Man" Andersen, and rookie Kay Felder.

Dahntay Jones, who was on the team last season but was waived over the summer, was also working out with the Cavs. He may be invited to camp, though the Cavs didn't immediately confirm it.

James has a business event in Los Angeles Friday evening, while Irving has a charity walk and basketball planned for Saturday in Cleveland. Love, meanwhile, will be honored at the University of California-Los Angeles Saturday during the school's football game for the "significant" financial contribution made to the school. The amount wasn't disclosed, but Love's donation is said to have matched Oklahoma City star Russell Westbrook's earlier contribution to come from the school's vast array of famous former athletes.

Revisiting the Williams scenario, the other potential backup to Kyrie Irving at point guard on the roster is rookie Felder. A source confirmed Cleveland's interest in free agent point guard Norris Cole, among others, but said the Cavs likely wouldn't bring in a veteran free agent until Williams' status -- and capability -- was determined. Williams played on a bad left knee last season.