Its no secret why J.R Smith has already been linked to trade rumors this early in the season. He doesn't really fit well with what the New York Knicks are trying to do and accomplish under Phil Jackson's legendary triangle offense. He likes to dribble a lot and needs the ball in his hands to be effective and the triangle system demands players to move the ball.
Smith, of course, had raised eyebrows during training camp by publicly recounting his admitted 'struggle' adapting to the system, even saying at one point that 'trying to think about the rest of the team over myself or my scoring is something that I never really had to do before,' per Peter Botte of New York Daily News.
Now it seems the Knicks are going to move on from Smith as they have reportedly explored options to unload the veteran swing-man's contract. New York even went so far as discuss a trade deal for Smith to another Eastern Conference team, the Indiana Pacers according to the New York Post:
One of president Phil Jackson's big decisions this season is whether to trade J.R. Smith, and the club had recent conversations with the Pacers regarding ex-Knick Chris Copeland, according to a league source.
The 6-foot-9 Copeland, whom the Pacers signed in July 2013, has an expiring contract after bolting the Knicks for a two-year, $6 million deal, so he wouldn't affect their 2015 cap space.
Smith, meanwhile, can opt out of the $6.4 million he has coming in 2015-16, but there's still a chance he will wait to be a free agent until 2016 when the salary cap is expected to rise dramatically. The Knicks are trying to open up as much cap space as possible and would benefit if Smith opts out or if they trade him for an expiring contract.
Chris Copeland was basically an 'unknown" in 2013 - appearing just 41 games while averaging averaging 3.7 points per game in 6.5 minutes per contest - but has suddenly emerged as the Pacers better performers in its first three games, averaging 16.0 points, 4.7 rebounds and 2.7 assists in 30.3 minutes per contest.
The rumored trade deal may also benefit both teams according to Matt Moore of CBS Sports:
Copeland would give the Knicks a stretch four to use on the floor, and a little more versatility at the backup three and four position. It would also make room for more minutes for Iman Shumpert and Tim Hardaway Jr. Smith meanwhile would give the Pacers a two-guard to provide some level of offense on a team that's going to badly need it this season. They can live with his efficiency because, well, they're desperate.
Whether this trade rumor has any leg or not, remains to be seen but one thing is for sure - as long as J.R. Smith continues to struggle integrating under the Triangle, he will continue to be part of trade rumors this season.
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