HoopsHype.com Rumors

Jared Zwerling: #Knicks focus remains at point guard and inside entering the draft. Then the FA focus will be J.R. and the team will go from there. Twitter @JaredZwerling

New York Knicks, Free Agency, Draft, JR Smith 

Net Daily: Within context of CBA, Kidd's decision to forego $3.1M isn't going to be THAT meaningful. Still have $72M+ even with JR Smith opting out. Twitter @NetsDaily

New York Knicks, Jason Kidd, JR Smith 

J.R. Smith will not opt in with the New York Knicks, declining his player option of $2.9 million, a league source confirmed with ESPNNewYork.com. Smith will officially announce the decision before June 30, making him an unrestricted free agent. ESPN.com

New York Knicks, Free Agency, JR Smith 

Another league source said it's "likely" Smith will re-sign with the Knicks come free agency (starting July 1), putting their roster at eight players under contract for next season. That number could extend to 10 players if New York re-signs Pablo Prigioni and Chris Copeland, who both have qualifying offers of $988,872. If they don't accept the offers by June 30, they will become restricted free agents. ESPN.com

New York Knicks, Free Agency, JR Smith, Pablo Prigioni, Chris Copeland 

JR Smith: Honor to play with a True Professional like this Man! I know my respect is not needed but its 100%… instagram.com/p/aG0-h3NfMW/ Twitter @TheRealJRSmith

New York Knicks, Jason Kidd, JR Smith 

JR Smith: #Vegas... Twitter @TheRealJRSmith

New York Knicks, JR Smith 

The Post has learned J.R. Smith’s nightmarish playoff performance was partly because of a swollen left knee that contained fluid buildup. According to a league source, Smith likely will have his knee drained of the fluid in the next two weeks — the same procedure Anthony underwent in March. So Smith’s struggles weren’t only about his sharp elbow in the Celtics series, alleged hangover and viral infection. New York Post

New York Knicks, Injuries, JR Smith 

“[Smith’s] been playing hurt,” the league source said. “He probably should’ve sat out a couple of games. It’s what Melo had. That’s why he wasn’t driving the ball like he was. That’s why his jump shot wasn’t right, not having the lift.’’ New York Post

New York Knicks, Injuries, JR Smith 

Smith’s image took a further blow when his former friend, Rihanna, stated on her Instagram account that his playoff woes stemmed from his being “hung over.’’ Rihanna deleted the post after a request from CAA superagent Leon Rose, who represents Smith. New York Post

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

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