Knicks backup shooting guard J.R. Smith will opt out of his deal with the Knicks tomorrow according to 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. Story posting soon.
Howard Beck (@HowardBeckNYT) June 25, 2012
The Knicks and Smith are still expected to reach an agreement for Smith to return and he will likely re-up for more years and a 20% salary increase. Signing Smith this way would prevent the Knicks from having to use the MLE to re-sign the enigmatic two guard.
It’s tough to find guys who can fill it up off the bench like Smith can. He at time can drive you absolutely crazy with how careless he can be with the basketball, but he really surprised me with his one the ball defense this year.
A lot of fans blasted him for his play during the Miami series but the NBA champions were the best defensive team in the playoffs this year. As poorly as he might have shot the ball in that series, he’s the type of player who can get hot for a week or two and almost single-handedly win his team a series.
There is a possibility that Smith could field a better offer from another team, but its known that Smith wants to return to the Knicks and that the Knicks would like to bring him back as well. Sign me up.
