NBA Rumors: Latest on J.R. Smith, Chris Copeland Trade Gossip and More
It may seem a bit early for NBA rumors—after all, the season just started—but much like New York City, the NBA never sleeps. And it's hard to imagine many NBA general managers getting much sleep either.
So while we won't have any "LeBron James is returning to Cleveland" rumors like we were blessed with this summer, there's always moving and shaking in the NBA. Let's take a look at the latest buzz around the league.
J.R. Smith for Chris Copeland Swap?
Probably not. At least not until December.
Amid a slow start and a rough preseason for J.R. Smith, the New York Knicks have reportedly been looking at options to unload the player's contract. Per Marc Berman of the New York Post, the Knicks even went so far as to discuss dealing Smith to the Indiana Pacers:
"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.
"
Per Berman, the deal likely wouldn't happen until December 15 or later. And according to Bob Kravitz of WTHR.com, it's unlikely to happen at all:
Copeland has gone from being an afterthought in 2013—he appeared in just 41 games, averaging 3.7 points per game in 6.5 minutes per contest—to one of Indiana's surprising early performers in its first three games, averaging 16.0 points, 4.7 rebounds and 2.7 assists in 30.3 minutes per contest.
Smith, on the other hand, has suffered in the new system being implemented in New York, with just 8.0 points and 4.0 assists per game. Given his off-court struggles in the past and his streaky play on the court, it isn't hard to see why the Knicks would consider shipping him elsewhere if his struggles continue.
Jimmy Butler to Become a Restricted Free Agent
Well, they tried.
The Chicago Bulls reportedly tried to sign Jimmy Butler to a long-term extension, but the young guard decided to take his chances in free agency going forward instead.
As K.C Johnson of the Chicago Tribune reported, "Jimmy Butler’s agent told the Tribune before the Bulls game with the Cavaliers that Butler rejected a final offer and that stance didn’t change. Sources said the Bulls offered a multiyear deal averaging $11 million during lengthy, cordial conversations."
Per that report, Butler did emphasize that he wanted to remain with the organization.
"This is where I want to be. I love my teammates, the fan base, the organization, everybody. I think I still will end up in this city. I understand this is a business so I just have to be a great basketball player. I love my odds. I think this team is championship-caliber. I’m going to produce. I’m going to guard. I will take that on myself.
"
It isn't hard to see why Johnson would turn down the big bucks to bet on himself and an even bigger paycheck in the future. He's increased his scoring totals each year in the league, and after averaging 13.1 points a year ago, he's putting up a cool 24.0 points per game in 2014.
Add in the fact that he plays excellent defense and is just 25 years old, and Butler appears to have a very bright—and potentially lucrative—future.
