JR Smith had an incredible season for the New York Knicks. He shot the lights out, and single handedly kept the Knicks in dozens of games helping them to a second best record in the East and en route to a Sixth Man of the Year award from the NBA.
Then the Playoffs started. And he stunk. In an epic way. Many will no argue that Smith single-handedly ruined the Knicks post-season playoff run. It’s really hard to argue with. Given his dismal shooting, you have to believe if he played even half as well as he did all season long, the Knicks would have cruised past the Pacers. Just think of all those scoreless possessions the Knicks gave up on wide open missed JR Smith shots. It’s amazing the series even went 6 games to be honest with you.
However the Knicks still want JR Smith long term, and apparently he wants them too. But there is a catch….
He wants his brother Chris Smith by his side as a teammate, and he is deadly serious about the request. But fortunately the Knicks are reportedly willing to comply with the request. The New York Post yesterday had this bit of news on the progress of the negotiations:
The Post has learned point guard Chris Smith, J.R. Smith’s brother who injured his knee during Knicks training camp, has fired his agent, Marc Cornstein, and will hire J.R.’s rep, CAA superagent Leon Rose, who also handles Carmelo Anthony.
J.R. Smith is expected to opt out of his contract and re-sign with the Knicks in a four-year deal starting at about $5 million because the Knicks own his early-Bird rights rules.
The Knicks could be outbid for J.R. Smith by an under-the-cap team, though it’s unlikely considering his playoff flop. But having Chris Smith as part of the package has convinced the Sixth Man of the Year he wants to stay. After the Game 6 loss Saturday, the embattled Smith said “I want to retire a Knick.’’ (via NY Post)
$5 million a year is really not a hell of a lot of money to pay for a versatile scorer like JR Smith. Especially one who has matured enough this season to embrace his role as a player coming off the bench to give the team a necessary scoring punch and energy boost. A Ginobili type role really, where Smith plays more minutes than most starters and is often on the floor in crunch time.
Knicks Nation is probably not too pleased with JR Smith right now, as many felt this was the year the Knicks were going to put up a solid fight in the Eastern Conference Finals against the Heat. But regardless, you don’t want to see a guy like Smith go to another title competitor in your conference and put them over the top, do you?
The Knicks are making the right move with Smith, and getting him at a bargain basement price too if you ask me. Thoughts?
