BRIGGS wrote:Knicksfan wrote:BRIGGS wrote:CrushAlot wrote:I think the Knicks need to concentrate on bringing Smith, Martin, Prigs and Cope back. There will be some guys that slip through the cracks for the league minimum or the Knick scouts may bring in a couple of more guys from Europe. I also expect Shumpert to be a lot better next year after recovering from his injury and having a full summer to work and a full training camp.
The Knicks can pay Jr 5mm--thats it. I dont know how he would accept that. I dont think the Knicks need to concentrate on resigning him--they may need to beg.
He did say he would like to retire a Knick. Yeah, I know people have said things like that and changed teams asap. The thing for NY is that they can offer him a shot at a title and a very important role. Yes, the Knicks can only offer 5mm from what everybody is saying, but after that season I think they would have his rights and could offer a bigger contract, right?
If so and if Smith really appreciates the place he has here, the coach that sees him like a son and the chance to a title, I could see him staying. Wouldn't bet on it, but people thought he wasn't signing for what we could sign him this season, and he did.
We'll see...
Its pretty easy math. The best the Knicks can do is 4/22 or 1/5 and then promising him more(remember what happened to Minnesota when they did that with J Smith) If you were in the same position and a team offered you 38.5mm for 4--what would you take? After watching Kevin Ware jump up and come down and see his leg pop through his skin??? HMM Ill take the 38.5mm. I can always buy and rent out a nice apt in NY and come back after my career which isnt long anyway. And if I have been reading right--JR is in hock or close to it. There is no Benedict Arnold from JR he simply wants to take care of his family--I would have to believe. Hope this time around he is smart with his decision and his money.
Yeah, life can turn unexpected any moment. When you put it that way, its a foregone conclusion he is leaving, and you might be right.
Don't know if its the fan in me or if I believe in fairy tales but I think there is a chance he might take one of our two deals and look to be extended in the season that follows. This has been a magical season for Smith and the key word is maturation. There is also a factor that plays with this scenario and is the championship hunt. If the Knicks win it all this season, maybe he goes for the money as J.J. Barea did when the Mavs won.
The 4 years 22mill sure looks bad considering what you can get, but we are also talking about millions and that is a long contract, which a man with family looks for. Its logical to think you just take the highest offer no matter what, but you can have other considerations come into the equation.
In the end, it will be his call and history isn't in the Knicks side. But stranger things have happened.