Knicks · JR opts out... (page 1)

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J.R. Smith will not exercise his player option for the 2013-14 season, according to a league source, making him an unrestricted free agent.

Tuesday is the deadline for Smith to inform the New York Knicks of his decision.

Smith's plans come as no surprise to the Knicks. The team expected him to test free agency rather than agree to play for $2.9 million after his breakout 2012-13 season.

Smith, 27, earned the NBA's Sixth Man Award after averaging 18.1 points and 5.3 rebounds per game. He played an integral role in the Knicks' regular-season success but struggled mightily in the playoffs, making just 33 percent of his field goals.

Still, retaining Smith is the Knicks' top offseason priority, according to a league source. They can offer him a contract starting at approximately $5 million per season with standard raises over four years, using the Early Bird exception.

Another club with ample cap space can offer Smith more money annually, but Smith has said he values his relationship with head coach Mike Woodson. Playing for the Knicks also provides Smith, a native of Freehold, N.J., the chance to be near his family.

If another team offers Smith a chance to start, it might sway his decision. Smith, a nine-year veteran, expressed disappointment early last season when Woodson informed him he'd be coming off the bench.

The Knicks would also like to re-sign Chris Copeland and Pablo Prigioni. Both are expected to test free agency and command strong offers on the open market. The Knicks might have to use their mini midlevel exception of $3.1 million to retain the players.

Because of salary-cap restrictions, New York has only the mini mid-level exception and minimum contracts to offer free agents.

On Tuesday, the Knicks extended their qualifying offer to Copeland, his agent, John Spencer, confirmed with ESPNNewYork.com.

Copeland was in New York attending Iman Shumpert's basketball camp at the Knicks' training facility when he found out the news.

"Cope is grateful the Knicks made the offer," Spencer said. "It shows they appreciate the value he brought to the team during the season."

The offer is for one year guaranteed at $988,872, and Copeland has until July 23 to accept it. If he doesn't by then, the Knicks can withdraw the offer.

Several other teams are interested in Copeland, who averaged 8.7 points per game last season as a rookie.

I don't want JR back. The most the Knicks should offer is 2 years 4 million. I can't see another team putting up with his crap. I definitely don't see another coach having a lovefest with JR. By default this is the only team that will take him on and give into his needs.

Vmart wrote:I don't want JR back. The most the Knicks should offer is 2 years 4 million. I can't see another team putting up with his crap. I definitely don't see another coach having a lovefest with JR. By default this is the only team that will take him on and give into his needs.

Agree totally. After that debacle in the playoffs, shit, forget this guy. He disappeared in the playoffs last year too if you remember....That's TWO years in a row now this guy has pulled a disappearing act in the playoffs when we needed him most...And during the regular season he's a ultra low % freelancer that's given way too much freedom in this offense. Yeah he's talented, year he's in his prime -- I get all that. But he's unreliable, bottom line. And just think, if we want him back we'll have to sign his brother Chris to a deal too to appease him?!? No thanks man. Go get me any 2 of these 4: Jermaine Taylor, Chris-Douglas Roberts, Jamelle Horne, Gerardo Sureo -- and we more than make up for JR Smith's offense, size, athleticism, shooting, you name it. We'd also get younger, conserve money and keep that Chris Smith roster spot open for a much better player. No brainer for me to let him walk..

For $5M/year, I think JR is good value. Should the streak shooting get to be too much of a headache, I'm confident that contract is very movable. However, I am slightly relieved by our inability to offer him any more than that.

Finestrg wrote:

Vmart wrote:I don't want JR back. The most the Knicks should offer is 2 years 4 million. I can't see another team putting up with his crap. I definitely don't see another coach having a lovefest with JR. By default this is the only team that will take him on and give into his needs.

Agree totally. After that debacle in the playoffs, shit, forget this guy. He disappeared in the playoffs last year too if you remember....That's TWO years in a row now this guy has pulled a disappearing act in the playoffs when we needed him most...And during the regular season he's a ultra low % freelancer that's given way too much freedom in this offense. Yeah he's talented, year he's in his prime -- I get all that. But he's unreliable, bottom line. And just think, if we want him back we'll have to sign his brother Chris to a deal too to appease him?!? No thanks man. Go get me any 2 of these 4: Jermaine Taylor, Chris-Douglas Roberts, Jamelle Horne, Gerardo Sureo -- and we more than make up for JR Smith's offense, size, athleticism, shooting, you name it. We'd also get younger, conserve money and keep that Chris Smith roster spot open for a much better player. No brainer for me to let him walk..

those players are absolute trash.

Get this crackhead off the team.

MaTT4281 wrote:For $5M/year, I think JR is good value. Should the streak shooting get to be too much of a headache, I'm confident that contract is very movable. However, I am slightly relieved by our inability to offer him any more than that.

Agreed. And it's not as if we could spend that money on another player, it's JR or nothing. At worst, we wait until he's on another hot stretch and shop him around the league. $5M/year when he's playing well is a good deal for a lot of teams.

VCoug wrote:

MaTT4281 wrote:For $5M/year, I think JR is good value. Should the streak shooting get to be too much of a headache, I'm confident that contract is very movable. However, I am slightly relieved by our inability to offer him any more than that.

Agreed. And it's not as if we could spend that money on another player, it's JR or nothing. At worst, we wait until he's on another hot stretch and shop him around the league. $5M/year when he's playing well is a good deal for a lot of teams.

No.

He will never be traded if he re-signs. Dolan loves him and so does the Isiah (Grunwald/Woodson) regime.

Its funny when it comes to JR. Last Year i gained a lot of respect for him during the regular season. Not only did he produce BUT he also behaved for the most part and he never missed games. However all that respect i gained was washed away in the playoffs. his behavior in the boston series and off the court partying pretty much ended our season. It wanst just JR because Melo and Tyson were both inconsistent as well but JR was terrible mostly because of his attitude and off teh court behavior which i thought was past him. If he wants more that 4.5 million per year then let him walk

Knicks need JR at more than JR needs the Knicks..I like that folks think they are dictating terms...

this is like in the movies when the bad guy has a gun to the hostage's head and tells the good guy to drop his gun - you're damned if you do, damned if you don't.

If we lose him, yes the knuckle head is gone, but so is the 18PPG he brought last season. Just as small as he came up in the playoffs, he really did come up big during the regular season.

Who knows if he takes another step forward this coming season, or backwards- I can see both, and that is a big risk, either keeping him or letting him go.

But the fact is that this roster is f%%@#$ either way, and the reality is there is no solid option to replace him.

We're all in, and as others are realizing, our roster last year might have been the best we'll see in the Melo/Amar'e era.

franco12 wrote:this is like in the movies when the bad guy has a gun to the hostage's head and tells the good guy to drop his gun - you're damned if you do, damned if you don't.

If we lose him, yes the knuckle head is gone, but so is the 18PPG he brought last season. Just as small as he came up in the playoffs, he really did come up big during the regular season.

Who knows if he takes another step forward this coming season, or backwards- I can see both, and that is a big risk, either keeping him or letting him go.

But the fact is that this roster is f%%@#$ either way, and the reality is there is no solid option to replace him.

We're all in, and as others are realizing, our roster last year might have been the best we'll see in the Melo/Amar'e era.

The Regular season JR was a complete different person on and off the court. Unfortunetly in the playoffs he reverted back to the old JR. Yes we are a win now team but i feel he really let the team and fans down in the playoffs so its hard to trust him

holfresh wrote:Knicks need JR at more than JR needs the Knicks..I like that folks think they are dictating terms...

LOL

If the Kn icks need JR then the team is going nowhere and the great Grunwald has failed. Be careful on placing importance on a low IQ, poor playoff performing, weak-minded, immature idiot like JR Smith.

dk7th wrote:

holfresh wrote:Knicks need JR at more than JR needs the Knicks..I like that folks think they are dictating terms...

LOL

All the dudes who have been rooting for the Knicks to lose all season can't wait to see the NBA's sixth man of the year go...I guess if I wanted to Knicks to lose as well I would be in the same camp...

Vmart wrote:I don't want JR back. The most the Knicks should offer is 2 years 4 million. I can't see another team putting up with his crap. I definitely don't see another coach having a lovefest with JR. By default this is the only team that will take him on and give into his needs.

The money amount per doesnt matter its the years. Id give him 5 per no problem but I dont want to take the 2015-16 cap space

Vmart wrote:I don't want JR back. The most the Knicks should offer is 2 years 4 million. I can't see another team putting up with his crap. I definitely don't see another coach having a lovefest with JR. By default this is the only team that will take him on and give into his needs.

The money amount per doesnt matter its the years. Id give him 5 per no problem but I dont want to take the 2015-16 cap space

JamesKPolk wrote:If the Kn icks need JR then the team is going nowhere and the great Grunwald has failed. Be careful on placing importance on a low IQ, poor playoff performing, weak-minded, immature idiot like JR Smith.

They are going nowhere with or without him. Might as well have him

holfresh wrote:

dk7th wrote:

holfresh wrote:Knicks need JR at more than JR needs the Knicks..I like that folks think they are dictating terms...

LOL

All the dudes who have been rooting for the Knicks to lose all season can't wait to see the NBA's sixth man of the year go...I guess if I wanted to Knicks to lose as well I would be in the same camp...

who are you... houdini? i never root for my team to lose. i just knew the team would not achieve what it should have... emphasis on "should." he is not a winner.

CASE CLOSED

Vmart wrote:I don't want JR back. The most the Knicks should offer is 2 years 4 million. I can't see another team putting up with his crap. I definitely don't see another coach having a lovefest with JR. By default this is the only team that will take him on and give into his needs.

Jr was our 2nd best player and 2nd most reliable player by far. Who are we supposed to replace him with if we let him walk?

dk7th wrote:

holfresh wrote:Knicks need JR at more than JR needs the Knicks..I like that folks think they are dictating terms...

LOL

It will be interesting to see what the Final Cost will come to for Earl And Chris Part Deux.....