The New York Knicks were aware that the only way the team could improve this season is by making trades. Phil Jackson only managed one in the offseason, but is not giving up the effort which could be paying off sooner rather than later. The Knicks do not have many assets to make deals with considering the team has no first-round draft picks. However, they have a few players with favorable contracts that teams are interested in and JR Smith is the first on the blocks.
According to Marc Berman of the New York Post, the Knicks have been in contact with the Indiana Pacers about a trade involving Smith and Chris Copeland. Money and contracts is a big reason this trade is being discussed. Jackson is aware that a decision regarding Smith's future must come by midseason as the shooting guard has a player option worth $6.4 million. The Knicks want as much salary cap space as possible which means getting rid of Smith before he can make the decision. Copeland was re-signed in 2013 and has an expiring contract to his name which is perfect for New York.
Copeland has made major improvements in his game since last season when he never saw a start. The forward is now averaging 16 points and 4.7 rebounds per game. Smith is having a hard time grasping the triangle offense and is on a roster crowded at his position. The Knicks have options at the guard spot. Iman Shumpert is available even though New York did not re-sign him before the deadline. Tim Hardaway Jr could also handle increased time on the court. The Pacers could use his experience at the wing spot following the departures of Lance Stephenson and Danny Granger along with Paul George's injury. However, Smith's off-the-court issues have overshadowed his contributions.
"I don't know if that's possible or not,'' Jackson said, via the New York Post. "He might be one of those guys that's a little bit like Dennis Rodman, that has an outlier kind of side to him. But I'm going to get to know him as we go along, and we'll find a way to either make him a very useful player in our organization, or whatever.''
According to Berman, Jackson has no intentions of making trades until late December. There is a good possibility these talks die out, but it is looking more and more likely that Smith will not be around to pick up that option in his contract.
