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Anyone else think it seemed odd that Glen Grunwald seemed more convinced Jason Kidd would be back than J.R. Smith? Speaking of Kidd, he stressed the positive exit interview - but as Frank Isola tweeted earlier - I still would not be surprised if Kidd looked for a buyout for a lesser role with a contender to finish his career. Sulia

New York Knicks, Jason Kidd, JR Smith, Glen Grunwald 

But he wasn't so glowing about Smith. "Like I said before, I think it’s best in general for us to maintain some continuity, the same group, the same core group together," Grunwald said. "But I’m not going to comment on any individual player because we’re not finished with our evaluation. I don’t think you should read that one way or another - I just don’t think it’d be fair for me to start talking about, ‘yeah, we really want him back’ or ‘yeah, maybe he comes back.’ I think right now we’re just going to go through the evaluation. I’m very happy for J.R. He had a great year. Obviously, he’s disappointed how it finished for himself as it is for our team, but now I think that’s going to make us stronger and more committed to next season." Sulia

New York Knicks, JR Smith 

Grunwald stopped sort of guaranteeing the Knicks will re-sign J.R. Smith but said his policy this offseason is not to say specifically they will definitely re-sign a player, probably because of the Jeremy Lin fiasco. Grunwald sounded as if Smith was in the plans. “In general it’s best to maintain continuity,’’ Grunwald said, “with the same core group together. I’m not going to comment on any individual player because we’re not finished with our evaluation. I don’t think you should read that one way or another. I don’t think it would be fair to say , yeah, we really want him back.’’ New York Post

New York Knicks, Free Agency, JR Smith, Glen Grunwald 

Jonah Ballow: "Without a doubt" @Carmelo Anthony asked if he wants @JR Smith back #Knicks Twitter @jonahballow

New York Knicks, Free Agency, Carmelo Anthony, JR Smith 

J.R. Smith is expected to opt out of his contract and re-sign with the Knicks in a four-year deal starting at about $5 million because the Knicks own his early-Bird rights rules. New York Post

New York Knicks, Leon Rose, JR Smith, Agents, Chris Smith 

The Post has learned point guard Chris Smith, J.R. Smith’s brother who injured his knee during Knicks training camp, has fired his agent, Marc Cornstein, and will hire J.R.’s rep, CAA superagent Leon Rose, who also handles Carmelo Anthony. New York Post

New York Knicks, Leon Rose, JR Smith, Agents, Chris Smith 

Whether Smith, 27, gets a chance to redeem himself in New York is uncertain. He is expected to opt out of the final year of his below-market value contract ($2.8 million per year) and test free agency this summer. The most the Knicks can offer the Jersey product is an “early Bird” exception starting at $4.9 million per year over four years, but there might be a team with more salary-cap room willing to pay Smith substantially more. “I want to retire a Knick. I don’t want to go anywhere else,” Smith said. “I love my teammates, I love my coaches. I was standing in the locker room looking at my jersey after the game and just knowing that I don’t want to be anywhere else except in the orange and blue. We’ll see.” New York Daily News

New York Knicks, Free Agency, JR Smith 

Still, when asked if he’d be willing to take less money to remain in New York, Smith hedged and added, “I haven’t even thought about all that, that far. I still have to talk to (agent) Leon (Rose) and see where we’re at.” New York Daily News

New York Knicks, Free Agency, JR Smith 

During his slump, Smith also has been questioned about his penchant for partying, a line of thought that was amplified when pop star Rihanna accused him on her Instagram account of playing badly because he’s been “hung over,” before later deleting the message. Smith laughed it off after the game, “I’m not worried about Instagram,” he said. “ I’m worried about the playoffs.” New York Post

New York Knicks, JR Smith 

Smith, who has been mired in a horrific shooting slump since his ejection in Game 3 of the Knicks’ first-round series against the Celtics, had 13 points to go along with six rebounds, two assists, three steals and a blocked shot to help the Knicks earn an 85-75 win over the Pacers to keep their season alive. “I still didn’t shoot my best, but it always helps to come home and play in front of these fans,” Smith said. “Hopefully the little bit of rhythm I did get carries me over.” New York Post

New York Knicks, JR Smith 

Let’s say Franklin is one of the most confident players in camp. He said his offensive game is similar to New York’s J.R. Smith’s — “I can score in so many ways.’’ — and his defensive game is similar to Memphis’ Tony Allen. Racine Journal-Times

Memphis Grizzlies, New York Knicks, Draft, Tony Allen, JR Smith, Jamaal Franklin 

Rihanna alleged Thursday what many Knicks fans already suspected about J.R. Smith and his playoff woes. In a comment on Instagram, the singer wrote that Smith is struggling because “his a** be hungover from clubbing every night during playoffs.” Smith has shot just 28.6 percent from the field since Game 5 of the first round series against the Celtics. The Knicks are down 3-1 and facing elimination heading into Game 5 of the Eastern Conference semifinals vs. the Pacers. New York Post

New York Knicks, JR Smith, Rihanna 

Marc Berman: Woodson on JR distractions regarding Rihanna. "No bearing on this game." Twitter @NYPost_Berman

New York Knicks, JR Smith, Rihanna 

Frank Isola: As J.R. Smith is going through his shooting drills, the MSG lights were turned off to rehearse introductions. All about winning, huh? Twitter @FisolaNYDN

New York Knicks, JR Smith, Rihanna 

Off to the side of the Knicks’ practice court yesterday, standing in a corner outside the locker room, J.R. Smith was talking to reporters when assistant coach Darrell Walker chimed in. “Got your back to the corner, huh, young fella?” Walker said. “You know what happens when they back a dog in the corner?” “Oh, I know,” a cheerful Smith replied. “We’re gonna find out.” New York Post

New York Knicks, JR Smith, Darrell Walker 

“I take the blame for this whole series,” Smith said. “I’ve been letting my teammates down, I’ve been letting my coaches down, and it doesn’t feel good.” New York Post

New York Knicks, JR Smith 

“I want J.R. to shoot,” Melo said. “He can’t take the shots with him. I don’t want him to stop shooting. I want him to stay aggressive.” New York Post

New York Knicks, Carmelo Anthony, JR Smith 

Frank Isola: Carmelo also says he wants J.R. Smith to "keep shooting." So there's that. Twitter @FisolaNYDN

New York Knicks, Carmelo Anthony, JR Smith 

Frank Isola: J.R. Smith: "I take the blame for this whole series." Twitter @FisolaNYDN

New York Knicks, JR Smith 

Steve Popper: J.R. Smith warming up looks a lot healthier than he did Saturday night. Not saying any shots will go in but not glassy-eyed like that night. Twitter @StevePopper

New York Knicks, JR Smith