NBA New York Knicks

New York Knicks Are Wise To Explore J.R. Smith Trade

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By @DSchultz89

J.R. Smith NBA Knicks

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The New York Knicks have reportedly explored trade options for shooting guard J.R. Smith, which comes as a surprise considering that the season just started and Smith won the Sixth Man of the Year in 2013.

A confident shooter who prefers to float around the perimeter and snipe from outside, Smith seems like the perfect fit for New York considering his personality and his desire to be a big-time player when his name is called.

However, his attitude has gotten him into trouble before on the hardwood, in addition to off the court matters that have damaged his reputation to the point where many view him as a very talented, but extremely selfish player who values “hero-ball” over team basketball. There is no doubting that Smith is a gifted player with the ability to get hot from anywhere on the court at any given minute. He is fairly seen as a player who can shoot a team back into a game — as well as shoot them out of a game too.

In other words, he is a streaky shooter who can put up 35 points one night, then follow it up with a four-point dud the next game.

Personally, I really like Smith and the confidence he possesses. It is not an accident that he has survived in the NBA for 10 years now, and that is because of the notable swagger he possesses. He carries himself in a streetball player-esque manner. However, the Knicks are looking for consistency under new head coach Derek Fisher and president Phil Jackson.

At one point in time, Smith had the potential to be a real star in this league who might have averaged 20-25 PPG, but he never pushed himself to the point where he wanted to be an All-Star caliber talent, appearing fine coming off the bench and playing the spark plug role. And hey, there’s nothing wrong with that if it makes him happy, but it is clear that he has typecast himself into a certain niche going into the later stages of his career.

Fisher will use all of his might to mold Iman Shumpert into a lockdown defensive player. Meanwhile, Tim Hardaway Jr. will wait patiently for his time to become a key rotation player for his new coach. So through these lenses, it makes sense why Smith might now be seen as the odd man out.

The latest rumor has Smith going to the Indiana Pacers in exchange for former Knick Chris Copeland, who would give the Knicks more size at the small-forward position with the ability to also play some stretch-four at times. Personally, I think this move makes sense for both teams and would offer Smith one last chance to jump start his career and become the superstar scorer many thought he would become one day.

While it is just a rumor now that Smith might be dealt soon, I see some validity in it when one looks at the Knicks’ front office now. This could also just be a motivational tactic to get Smith off to a strong start this year as he enters the middle of what should be the prime years of his career at the age of 29.

The Knicks will be a fascinating team to watch for a variety of reasons this year, and it will be interesting to see what happens with Smith this coming season.

Dan Schultz is an NBA sports writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on twitter @dschultz89. “Like” him on Facebook and add him on Google.

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