This is just what JR Smith wanted. The other day he said he wanted to retire a Knick and it looks like he’s getting closer to that with a 4-year deal. This has not been confirmed, just according to sources.
Check the report after the jump…
Via Zach Harper at CBSSports:
After winning Sixth Man of the Year, he should have plenty of suitors in need of a scorer lining up to pay him for his services. However, he stated within the past week that he wants to retire as a Knick. This could be a ploy to drive up the negotiating price for Smith, or he could be sincere.
Marc Berman of the New York Post is reporting that this plan is definitely sincere and that it includes Chris Smith, J.R.’s brother, getting an NBA job in the process.
The J.R. Smith/Chris Smith package deal is shaping up.
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.”
This would end up being a great contract for the Knicks because they don’t really have the luxury of competing with higher bids, and while Smith’s shot selection might not be ideal for a lot of offenses and systems, his value should certainly be higher than $5 million per season. He has an incredible ability to score and more than enough talent that coaches can consistently harness out of him.
(Story Continues…)
