J.R. Smith will officially inform the Knicks on Tuesday of his plans to file for free agency. The Sixth Man of the Year will not exercise the clause in his contract to "opt in" to the final year of his deal that would pay him $2.9 million. It is just a formality since it has been known for months that Smith, coming off his best NBA season, intended to become a free agent on July 1st. "J.R's a special player," Carmelo Anthony said last month. "To me and to everybody on this team he made a huge step forward as a basketball player and we look forward to that. For him to come out, win the Sixth Man of the Year award, helping us to win a division title, helping us to win 50-plus games, he was a big part to this team. I definitely would love him back here." Smith would prefer to remain with the Knicks and from all indications the club wants to keep him. However, if Smith receives an offer that is worth approximately $6 million annually the Knicks may not be able to keep him. Also, Smith has expressed a desire to be a starter and the shooting guard position could be open with Jason Kidd retired and Pablo Prigioni a free agent. Read more http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/basketball/smith-knicks-free-agent-plans-tues-article-1.1381320
