New York Knicks president for basketball operations Phil Jackson is seriously considering in trading swingman JR Smith to Indiana Pacers in exchange for small forward Chris Copeland, a source close to situation told Marc Berman of New York Post on Monday.
After just three games into their 2014-15 NBA campaign, the Knicks are already talking about making big moves on the trading front, one of these possible transactions is aimed to get rid of the Sixth Man of the Year winner two years ago.
According to the source close to situation, Jackson has already seen enough of Smith’s antics and complains about playing in triangle offense. During training camp, Smith admitted the system being introduced by head coach Derek Fisher and Jackson has given a lot of pains.
Jackson, who mentored some of the most controversial characters in the NBA, likened Smith’s attitude to his former player back in his Chicago Bulls days, the Hall of Famer and Defensive phenom Dennis Rodman.
“I don’t know if that’s possible or not,’’ Jackson said when asked how to cure Smith’s off-the-court immature antics via New York Post. “He might be one of those guys that’s a little bit like Dennis Rodman, that has an outlier kind of side to him. But I’m going to get to know him as we go along, and we’ll find a way to either make him a very useful player in our organization, or whatever.’’
Moreover, trading for Copeland also appears to be ideal move for the Knicks financially, as they not only get rid of Smith’s huge contract but give them a quality shooter at a cheap price.
“The 6-foot-9 Copeland, whom the Pacers signed in July 2013, has an expiring contract after bolting the Knicks for a two-year, $6 million deal, so he wouldn’t affect their 2015 cap space,” according to New York Post.
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