The Knicks had to re-sign J.R. Smith, but they don’t have to keep him. The enigmatic reigning NBA Sixth Man of the Year and the Knicks agreed on a four-year deal with a value slightly less than $25 million. The Freehold, N.J., native has a player option for the fourth year of the contract, meaning he could opt out and become a free agent following the 2015-2016 season.
Yet for the Knicks, the yearly average of the pact—roughly $6.2 million per season—provides them with the facility to trade Smith if they endeavor to reshape their roster over the next year or two. Re-signing the 6-foot-6 Smith was an absolute must for the Knicks. Despite a poor postseason, in which he shot an abysmal 33 percent, including just 27 percent from behind the 3-point line, Smith was the team’s second leading scorer during the regular season behind Carmelo Anthony, with an average of 18.1 points per game—a career high.
Known primarily for being an explosive scorer since coming straight out of St. Benedict’s Prep to the NBA in 2004, Smith’s all-around game evolved under the alternately nurturing and castigating mentoring of Knicks head coach Mike Woodson. His defense significantly improved, and Smith became more judicious in his shot selection. Additionally, he attained the highest rebound average—5.3 per game—during his nine years in the league.
While Smith’s contributions to the Knicks winning the Atlantic Division title with a record of 54-28 were substantial, can the franchise win an NBA championship with Smith as their second most important offensive option and arguably their second best player? As of now, the logical answer is an emphatic no. The current lay of the land in the Eastern Conference, at least on paper, says so.
Smith will be an attractive piece to a team that needs scoring from the backcourt and a willing defender. If the Knicks’ first-round draft pick, Tim Hardaway Jr., emerges as a solid pro, Smith’s long-term future as a Knick could be tenuous.