One minute JR Smith is getting traded and the next he is starting at shooting guard for the New York Knicks. The veteran's future is truly up in the air as Phil Jackson would like to deal the veteran away, but also cannot do without his scoring abilities. The Knicks are having consistency issues asp layers continue to be on and off the court with injuries. Smith is having consistency issues with scoring which is hurting his future even more.
Smith put up 28 points against the Denver Nuggets over the weekend. He and Carmelo Anthony led the charge as the shooting guard looked like his vintage self in the game. Smith's increased playing time came after Iman Shumpert was ruled doubtful with a hip injury, something that could linger throughout the season. According to ESPN's Ian Begley, while Smith's name continues to get brought up in trade talk, he is also considered a potential starter for the team going forward.
Head coach Derek Fisher likes what Smith is bringing to the offense at this time, opting to keep him as a starter over Shumpert or Tim Hardaway Jr. If Smith can continue to play like he did against the Nuggets, he might stop seeing his name in those trade rumors floating around.
"When you're losing seven in a row, it don't matter who it is," Smith said, via the New York Daily News. "I don't care if we play the girl's JV team. We've got to get a 'W.' It's huge, whether it's by one, by 20. Hopefully it'll put a snowball effect on it. For me the key is just going out there and playing. Whether I'm starting, coming off the bench, whatever they want me to do."
No matter how good Smith plays, if the Knicks can get a deal in place for him, they will do it. Begley reported that most believe Smith is the better trade package than Shumpert or Hardaway Jr. Plus, New York is aiming to clear cap space for next summer's free agency run. Smith has a player option in his deal, one the Knicks likely do not want him picking up.
According to the New York Daily News, the Knicks are targeting several big names that will come with big contracts. Players like Marc Gasol and Rajon Rondo sit at the top of their list and they need as much cap space as possible to sign them.
