Most of last season, it seemed like a guarantee the JR Smith would be traded. The former Sixth Man of the Year had an up and down season filled with suspensions, low stats and on-the-court antics that did not exactly please the coaching staff. However, he has remained on the roster through the offseason. Smith has certainly heard all of the trade rumors surrounding his name and noted that he would not blame Phil Jackson for sending him away.
JR Smith has all the confident in the world that the Knicks can compete in the Eastern Conference especially come playoff time. However, he is not sold on the idea that he will still be a part of the roster. He told ESPN's "First Take" that he fully expected to be traded last season and does not doubt that it could certainly happen again before the 2014 season begins.
"No. Absolutely not," Smith said. "The way I was playing, I was playing like a person who didn't want to be there," Smith said. "Not looking as focused as a person should be in that situation that we were, in the trenches. I wouldn't blame them at all."
The New York Knicks are not spending any more money in free agency. After signing Carmelo Anthony to his large contract, Jackson is being wise with the financials, prepping for a big run in 2015. So, if the team is going to make roster improvements before next season, they have to do so via trades. Ideally, the Knicks would like to trade either Amar'e Stoudemire or Andrea Bargnani. However, their low stats and high contracts would force the Knicks to also give up either Tim Hardaway Jr or Iman Shumpert as well. Considering they are the only young assets the Knicks have, Smith could get thrown in instead.
"Yeah, because that's just the way the numbers work, honestly," Smith said. "When you have so many people at that same position and you're trying to juggle between 'Well, he's got to play 20 minutes, he's got to play 30 minutes, he's got to play 25 minutes,' it's tough to do. That's why whenever I'm in the gym I try to do the best. [I'm] not worried about those guys [the other shooting guards], but [I want] to make sure I'm evolving my game so I can play multiple positions and keep my talent on the floor."
With three shooting guards on the roster, someone is likely to go before the season starts. After immaturity issues last year, teams might not be willing to take a chance on Smith. However, Jackson will do all he can to make sure he is the one gone over Shumpert or Hardaway Jr.
