J.R. Smith doesn't really fit with what the Knicks are trying to do. Mostly because, you know, they want to pass the ball. So it's only natural that Smith should pop up in trade rumors, and lo and behold here is. The New York Post reports that the Knicks and Pacers held talks on a J.R. Smith for Chris Copeland swap.
One of president Phil Jackson's big decisions this season is whether to trade J.R. Smith, and the club had recent conversations with the Pacers regarding ex-Knick Chris Copeland, according to a league source.
The 6-foot-9 Copeland, whom the Pacers signed in July 2013, has an expiring contract after bolting the Knicks for a two-year, $6 million deal, so he wouldn't affect their 2015 cap space.
Smith, meanwhile, can opt out of the $6.4 million he has coming in 2015-16, but there's still a chance he will wait to be a free agent until 2016 when the salary cap is expected to rise dramatically. The Knicks are trying to open up as much cap space as possible and would benefit if Smith opts out or if they trade him for an expiring contract.
via Knicks, Pacers talked J.R. Smith-Chris Copeland deal | New York Post.
Smith has spoken openly of his struggle in the triangle. The problem is, whenever Smith gets close to playing his way out of New York, he'll make a series of plays, like he did in the Knicks' win over the Cavs, and that typically convinces management to buy in on him for a while longer.
Copeland, meanwhile, has found himself starting thanks to the Pacers' woeful injury situation. Smith is averaging 8.0 points per game on 10-of-25 shooting through three games, Copeland 16.0 points per game along with 4.7 rebounds and 2.7 assists through three games.
Copeland would give the Knicks a stretch four to use on the floor, and a little more versatility at the backup three and four position. It would also make room for more minutes for Iman Shumpert and Tim Hardaway Jr. Smith meanwhile would give the Pacers a two-guard to provide some level of offense on a team that's going to badly need it this season. They can live with his efficiency because, well, they're desperate. But putting Smith on a small-market team in a lottery atmosphere? That could be a recipe for total disaster.
Either way, it would appear that along with "Hey, the Knicks aren't bad!" a big narrative for New York this season could be whether Phil Jakcson ejects on Smith as a big part of the team.
HT: HoopRumors
