Knicks Rumors: Latest Rumblings from New York on J.R. Smith and Tobias Harris
New York Knicks President Phil Jackson represents a lot of things, including championships and NBA success, but for his current franchise, he is a symbol of hope.
The hope is that the Knicks, who have fallen on hard times recently, will once again find themselves among the best teams in the NBA sooner rather than later. The only way to do that is by changing up the roster through trades or free agency.
With that in mind, there are bound to be plenty of New York-related rumors circulating around the league all season. Read on for the details on a couple of them.
J.R. Smithย
Ian Begley of ESPNNewYork.com passed along the latest on J.R. Smith:
This is not the first time Smithโs name has been brought up in rumors, and it wonโt be the last. There are a number of factors here, including the fact that he is 29 years old. The team is in rebuilding mode and has its eye on the future, and trading away Smith, a streaky scorer who is capable of giving a contender some instant offense, could net a couple of young assets or draft considerations in return.
It would also open up more playing time for Tim Hardaway Jr.
Keith Schlosser of SNY.tv suggested that the sophomore guard has been underutilized this season, especially after an impressive run in the NBAโs Summer League. Schlosser noted that the Knicksโ most productive five-man units have featured Hardaway in the early going, even if he leaves something to be desired on the defensive end.ย
The only way the Knicks will know what they have in Hardaway is by giving him consistent playing time. The older Smith would simply have more value on a team that is in win-now mode than he does on the rebuilding Knicks.ย
Tobias Harris
Marc Berman of the New York Post noted that Tobias Harris could be a member of the Knicks next season: "According to a source, Harris, who went to high school at Long Islandโs Half Hollow Hills West, has a lot of interest in his hometown Knicks after becoming buddies with Carmelo Anthony over the summer."
New York is also loaded with cap space in 2015. Berman pointed out that the team could sign Marc Gasol and still have room for Harris, especially if Smith opts out or gets traded.
For as much as the Knicks have struggled the past couple of seasons, a threesome of Anthony, Harris and Gasol would make them instant playoff contenders in the watered-down Eastern Conference. Harris is versatile enough to play either forward position, so he could slide in alongside Anthony.
Entering Monday night's game, Harris was averaging 17.9 points and 8.5 rebounds a night and is a double-double threat every time steps on the floor. New York would certainly love that on its roster.ย
Before Knicks fans get ahead of themselves, John Denton of OrlandoMagic.com passed along a quote from Harris himself:
Remember, the Orlando Magic can match any offer on Harris. That shouldnโt stop Knicks fans from dreaming about the future, though.
Follow me on Twitter:ย @ScottPolacek.
