Report: J.R. Smith will opt out, but plans to remain a Knick

[Big Bid'Ness]

Fromrobasketballtalk

New York Knicks guard J.R. Smith attempts to dunk the ball in their NBA basketball game against the Portland Trail Blazers in New York Reuters

This fits in perfectly with the story line — J.R. Smith never wanted to leave the Knicks, but he wanted to get paid as much as he could

So it leads to this, as tweeted by Howard Beck of the New York Times:

JR Smith will decline Knicks option but intends to re-sign for longer term w/NY, source says.

He qualifies as non-Bird, which means he can get 20% raise and multiyear. Won’t need MLE.

Smith made $2.5 million (pro-rated) last year, so the Knicks can start him at $3 million next season and go however many years they agree to (up to four).

Smith will need all the money he can get if he keeps dating Rihanna.

This will not impact their ability to re-sign Jeremy Lin or Steve Novak, or to use some of their mid-level exception (likely only up to $3 million of it due to the fear of imposing a hard cap) to try and lure in a free agent.

What it means is that the Knicks you saw in the playoffs is the Knicks you will see come next season, save for one more free agent and a couple small-time role players. You can decide for yourself how far those kind of improvements take them.

 

[Pugz]

i really dont know if this is good or bad. whatever though. chuck away!

 

[Elite]

If JR would stop shooting the ball every time he got the damn ball he would be a really valuable scorer. He's obviously talented, he's got a good shot and he can get to and finish at the rim, he just takes too many bad shots

 

[MR.ballin]

Smith is a streak shooter. If he's hot he'll deliver but if he's cold he won't provide jack. I wouldn't mind resigning him though.

 

[RipCity32]

If JR would stop shooting the ball every time he got the damn ball he would be a really valuable scorer. He's obviously talented, he's got a good shot and he can get to and finish at the rim, he just takes too many bad shots

WAY to many bad shots lol.

 

[Giantmetfan07]

go ahead, opt out. I won't lose any sleep over it.

 

[Giantmetfan07]

go ahead, opt out. I won't lose any sleep over it.

 

[cruzg24]

I really hope he doesnt resign with the Knicks. I watched the Knicks intently during the playoffs and all JR Smith does is shoot. He isnt a good passer, doesnt make plays for his teammates, he doesnt play good defense, and he has a low basketball IQ. I'd rather save the money and get a guard who is focused on playing solid defense.

 

[dez]

JR's not going anywhere.

Bring my mans back