Posting and Toasting - Knicks trade J.R. Smith and Iman Shumpert~https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/29802/posting_fave.png2015-01-06T17:24:05-05:00http://www.postingandtoasting.com/rss/stream/72652842015-01-06T17:24:05-05:002015-01-06T17:24:05-05:00What does the trade mean for Knicks cap space?
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<figcaption>Bye, Shump and J.R. | Jim O'Connor-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Let's take a look at what the team's cap space will look like next summer now that J.R. Smith and Iman Shumpert (and their contracts) have been traded to Cleveland.</p> <p>Stop me if you've heard this before: J.R. Smith holds a player option for next season. The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.postingandtoasting.com/">Knicks</a> have made no secret of their desire to clear as much cap space as possible as we approach summer 2015, and getting Smith's contract off the books was a big step in that direction. <span>Iman Shumpert</span>, on the other hand, was a restricted free agent, so his contract would only have affected next year's cap had the team chosen to re-sign him. As such, it's clear that ridding the Knicks of <span>J.R. Smith's</span> contract was the main goal here for <span>Phil Jackson</span>.</p>
<p>With all that said, let's examine the Knicks' cap picture for next season now that Earl and Shump play for the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.fearthesword.com/">Cavaliers</a>.</p>
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<p>Some notes on this:</p>
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<li> <span>Almost all of this information comes from </span><a target="_blank" href="http://data.shamsports.com/content/pages/data/salaries/knicks.jsp">ShamSports</a>, which is an awesome website that you should all check out. It hasn't been updated since late July, so I had to piece the roster together myself, but all of the info there is correct. I got a few other things from <a href="http://www.cbafaq.com/salarycap.htm" target="_blank">CBAFAQ</a>, which is also an awesome site.</li>
<li>At the beginning of free agency next summer, the Knicks will have either 6 or 7 people under contract, depending on what they do with Quincy Acy. Of course, they could re-sign <span>Cole Aldrich</span>, Larkin, and people like <span>Langston Galloway</span> or <span>Thanasis Antetokounmpo</span> (who may be joining the Knicks soon), but all we know as of now that they have 6 or 7 players under contract. During the free agency period, if a team has fewer than 12 people under contract, cap holds are placed on the books at the rookie minimum salary to bring the number of "players" to 12. I've included the necessary number of cap holds in my calculations.</li>
<li><span>The Knicks will <i>definitely </i>renounce the Bird Rights to Amar'e Stoudemire, <span>Andrea Bargnani</span>, and <span>Jason Smith</span>, so I didn't include any of them.</span></li>
<li><span><a target="_blank" href="http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/basketball/knicks/knicks-trade-smith-iman-shumpert-cavs-article-1.2066771">Word is that the Knicks may keep Lance Thomas, but they're definitely waiving Lou Amundson and Alex Kirk</a>. Regardless, Thomas is only under contract for this season, so he's not included.</span></li>
<li><span><span>Quincy Acy</span> has a Qualifying Offer, but if the Knicks decline to tender it, his cap hold will become $947,276. However, that would also make him an unrestricted FA, whereas if the team tenders the QO, he'll be a restricted FA and they'll have the ability to match any offer sheet he signs with another team.</span></li>
<li> <span>Speaking of Acy, I didn't include him when calculating the team's cap space, but if you'd like to, just decrease the amount of space by about $700,000, which is the difference between a cap hold for an empty slot and his QO</span>.</li>
<li><span>Pablo Prigioni's salary next season is only guaranteed for $290,000 at the moment. It would become guaranteed for $440,000 if the Knicks were to make the 2nd round of the playoff this year. What that means is that Pablo's salary will only be guaranteed for $290,000 next season.</span></li>
<li><span>More on Pablo: I assumed the Knicks would hold onto him and allow his salary to become fully guaranteed in my cap room calculations. If you disagree (i.e. are a monster who hates Pablo), just add another $1 million in cap space for next summer. But again, don't do that unless you're a monster.</span></li>
<li><span>Don't forget that while <span>Samuel Dalembert</span> is still owed about $1.9 million this season, he's not on the books at all for next year.</span></li>
<li>In case you forgot: the Knicks declined to exercise Shane Larkin's third-year option. Therefore, he's not on the books for next season either.</li>
<li>There's some confusion about <a href="https://twitter.com/ABauer_ATR/status/552468419405418496" target="_blank">whether Cleanthony Early's salary next year is guaranteed</a>. I'm assuming it is for this exercise because I doubt he's going anywhere anyway.</li>
<li><span>The Knicks technically have to pay J.R. Smith's trade kicker and owe <span>Metta World Peace</span> a bit of money due to waiving him using the stretch provision, but neither of those things will affect next year's cap so I left them out.</span></li>
<li> <span>It's a pretty easy assumption at this point that the Knicks will be getting a top draft pick. I may have tempted the basketball gods by including </span><a target="_blank" href="http://www.cbafaq.com/salarycap.htm#Q49">the salary for the 1st overall pick in 2015-16</a> and assigning it to Jahlil Okafor, but I wanted to leave the Knicks with the least cap space possible to be safe, so I had no choice. Forgive me, basketball gods.</li>
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<p>Okay! So what we're seeing here is that the Knicks will probably have about <b>$24.4 million in cap space </b>next summer. If Marc Gasol is your cup of tea, the Knicks can only offer him $18.67 million in the first year of a max contract, so the Knicks could theoretically sign him and still have $6 million left over because the cap hold that Gasol will be taking the place of will slightly decrease the amount that the team's cap number goes up by.</p>
<p>If smaller contracts float your boat instead, there will be room for multiple medium-sized deals. And of course, there's always the possibility that the Knicks hold onto a good chunk of that space for future seasons, where the cap will probably rise exponentially as a result of the new TV deal. Whatever your preferred free agency plan, there's no denying that this trade opened up multiple possibilities for the Knicks, both next summer and in future years.</p>
https://www.postingandtoasting.com/2015/1/6/7504293/what-does-yesterdays-trade-mean-for-the-knicks-salary-cap-outlookMattRW2015-01-06T11:37:04-05:002015-01-06T11:37:04-05:00Thoughts on the trade and Reggie Jackson interest
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<figcaption>Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Some stuff on my mind and computer screen this morning:</p>
<p>- I should probably be more wistful about this than I am, but it's funny, after <span>Iman Shumpert</span> finally *did* get traded, to look back on all the Shump trades that didn't happen. Maybe Kenneth Faried was never really going to happen, but Shump plus a pick for the chance to re-sign <span>Kyle Lowry</span> seemed like a real thing. Shump for old <span>Steve Nash</span> was once almost done. Shump for <span>Jared Dudley</span> was a rumor. Shump for a late first-rounder definitely could have happened. Shump and <span>Raymond Felton</span> for <span>Darren Collison</span> and stuff could have happened. Such a variety! In the end, the return value for trading Iman Shumpert was Not Having <span>J.R. Smith</span> anymore.</p>
<p>- The <a href="https://www.postingandtoasting.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Knicks</a> *did* get three players back, but they will almost certainly cut them. That just hasn't happened yet. The only guy who has a chance of sticking around, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/basketball/knicks/knicks-trade-smith-iman-shumpert-cavs-article-1.2066771">it seems</a>, is <span>Lance Thomas</span>, and he's an expiring contract. It's a little disappointing <span>Phil Jackson</span> couldn't push either of those teams to include sooooomeone New York would actually want to audition with one of those open spots.</p>
<p>- It's still pretty strange to me that Cleveland managed to come out with two decent players and a first-rounder for <span>Dion Waiters</span> and a bunch of little contracts. Like, their new guys present the same problems in Cleveland that they did for the Knicks-- J.R. is flagging and has a player option while Shumpert's deal is expiring-- but they essentially made two separate deals with two desperate teams here and came out looking a little better, I think, at least in the short term.</p>
<p>- I'll never forget the brief terror of thinking the Knicks had traded straight-up for Dion Waiters. I'll also never forget the dismay of thinking the Knicks had traded for Reggie Jackson. That would be nuts, both in the WHOA AN ACTUAL GOOD PLAYER! sense and in the IS IT TIME FOR THIS!? sense.</p>
<p>I'm not against New York temporarily occupying or even full-on committing some of their cap space before season's end, but I'm not so sure <span>Reggie Jackson's</span> worth blowing that load. Jackson's going to be an RFA, and I wouldn't be comfortable with New York getting pushed into matching a big deal for him early in free agency instead of sitting back and playing the field. He's 68, after all:</p>
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<p>(He's 24. He's interesting. Just not GET HIM NOW DON'T WORRY ABOUT WEIGHING YOUR OPTIONS LATER interesting. Not to me. The guy rarely hits jump shots!)</p>
<p>- That said, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.cbssports.com/nba/writer/ken-berger/24937897/three-desperate-teams-three-team-trade-for-okc-cavs-and-knicks">here's Ken Berger</a>:</p>
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<p>(The Knicks were rebuffed in their pursuit of point guard Reggie Jackson in the deal, but will continue in their attempts to pry him away in future discussions before next month's trade deadline, league sources said.)</p>
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<p>Again, Jackson's fine, but I'm not into giving up assets for the opportunity to play restricted free agency with him. The Knicks hardly have any assets left at this point, anyway. I suppose the <a href="https://www.welcometoloudcity.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Thunder</a> may be willing to give him up for mere space or the ability to dump a bad contract the way the Knicks were with Shump. Just not my favorite.</p>
<p>- I don't want to bring back any unpleasant memories, but it is interesting to compare this fire sale to previous Knicks fire sales when they wanted to open up a bunch of cap space. The most recent one took Donnie Walsh two seasons and some pretty yucky talent dumps to set the Knicks up for...well, in part for the roster they're ripping apart now. Phil Jackson inherited a less onerous team and has neither the pressure nor the latitude to dump picks, but still, this has been a comparatively swift and painless demolition so far, and there's not much left to demolish.</p>
<p>- This is a great point:</p>
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<p>Knicks are in very good position to help facilitate moves for would be contenders at the trade deadline.</p>
— Jon@knicksfan.net (@JonKnicksFan) <a href="https://twitter.com/JonKnicksFan/status/552485682024046593">January 6, 2015</a>
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<p>Can use the TPEs to roster an unwanted player (as long as it's only for this year) while extracting a fee. That's what I'd be looking to do.</p>
— Jon@knicksfan.net (@JonKnicksFan) <a href="https://twitter.com/JonKnicksFan/status/552486048614600705">January 6, 2015</a>
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<p>The Knicks' new exceptions could allow them to benefit from another team's desperate move closer to the deadline. I guess that's one benefit of doing a trade like this with a month left to spare. They can get a facilitator's fee-- even just another little pick or asset-- just for assuming someone else's expiring contract or balancing the money in someone else's deal.</p>
<p>- Yes:</p>
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<p>.<a href="https://twitter.com/highkin">@highkin</a> <a href="http://t.co/YlYembOUrn">pic.twitter.com/YlYembOUrn</a></p>
— Steve McPherson (@steventurous) <a href="https://twitter.com/steventurous/status/552485442604761088">January 6, 2015</a>
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<p>- A few third party appraisals: <a target="_blank" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/2015/1/6/7499957/dion-waiters-trade-cavaliers-thunder-reaction-analysis">Ziller</a>! <a target="_blank" href="http://www.si.com/nba/2015/01/06/dion-waiters-jr-smith-iman-shumpert-cavaliers-knicks-thunder-trade-grades">Golliver</a>! <a href="http://grantland.com/the-triangle/nba-trade-cleveland-cavalier-new-york-knicks-oklahoma-city-thunder/" target="_blank">Lowe</a>! <a target="_blank" href="http://hardwoodparoxysm.com/2015/01/06/rtoe-lebron-exec-year/">HP bros</a>! <a target="_blank" href="http://deadspin.com/how-in-the-ever-lovin-hell-can-the-knicks-be-so-much-bu-1677679428">You sound upset, Kyle Wagner</a>!</p>
<p>- Of course the Knicks are on national TV this week. Of course.</p>
<p>- <span>Jose Calderon</span> is still around and making real money until 2017. I have no idea if the Knicks want to trade him or make him their point guard. I think I could be happy either way. Dealing him would create more space, but also another position of need. But more space. But also more need. More space, though. Need. Space.</p>
<p>- I'm sorry <span>Samuel Dalembert</span> doesn't get a full goodbye post, but I will always remember how much he wants to go to space:</p>
<p><iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/sp-dGfkFQpM" frameborder="0"></iframe></p>
<p>I'll still go to space with you, Sam.</p>
<p>All told, I like where the Knicks stand right now. They could have more assets, but they started in a pretty bad place and came out fully ready to spend. It's not ideal to be so dependent on free agency, but...well, at least Dad is equipping himself for it.</p>
https://www.postingandtoasting.com/2015/1/6/7500367/leftover-thoughts-links-from-the-knicks-trade-of-j-r-smith-and-imanSeth2015-01-06T10:00:04-05:002015-01-06T10:00:04-05:00J.R. Smith's greatest hits: A timeline
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<figcaption>Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>J.R. Smith was a Knick for 213 games spanning 4 seasons, but it feels like he's been in New York forever-- <a href="http://www.postingandtoasting.com/2013/5/6/4304252/on-j-r-smith-true-knicks-and-the-worlds-worst-contract-push" target="_blank">a true Knick</a>. He's not one of the best Knicks ever -- not even close -- but he'll go down as one of the most interesting. J.R. was rarely just there, you know? He hit hot streaks and horrible slumps, filling the space in between with distinctive J.R. moments. What follows is as comprehensive a timeline as I can muster of J.R.'s peculiar Knicks career. I'll say from the outset that it would take the entire bandwidth of the internet to include the best tweets, so those are gonna be sparse. Feel free to add them in the comments.</p>
<p>Here we go.</p>
<p>February 17, 2012: <a href="http://www.postingandtoasting.com/2012/2/17/2805031/more-j-r-smith-things" target="_blank">The Knicks sign J.R. Smith</a> right around the tail end of Linsanity (after cutting Renaldo Balkman!). He had been playing in China during the lockout, <a href="https://twitter.com/steven_lebron/status/552351743573778434" target="_blank">throwing away his team's money</a> and <a href="http://deadspin.com/5875384/jr-smiths-sister-choked-a-woman-during-a-brawl-in-china-involving-the-same-team-that-beat-up-georgetown/" target="_blank">enjoying family brawls</a>. (<a href="http://www.postingandtoasting.com/2012/2/17/2805009/the-mystical-energies-surrounding-j-r-smith-becoming-a-new-york-knick" target="_blank">Meanwhile: Just a quick reminder that OwanrinGunda was a person who posted here for a while</a>.)</p>
<p>February 19, 2012: <a href="http://www.postingandtoasting.com/2012/2/19/2810019/knicks-104-mavericks-97-fast-start-good-finish" target="_blank">J.R. debuts in a win over the Mavericks</a>, coming off the bench to bury three threes in the first quarter. <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/blog/ball_dont_lie/post/j-r-smith-debuts-for-the-knicks-with-inexplicable-hair?urn=nba,wp14709" target="_blank">His hair looked ridiculous</a>.</p>
<p>March 10, 2012: <a href="http://www.postingandtoasting.com/2012/3/10/2860992/j-r-smith-got-fined-25000-for-his-photography" target="_blank">J.R. gets fined for posting a ladybutt on Twitter</a>.</p>
<p>March 24, 2012: Double alley-oop!</p>
<p><iframe frameborder="0" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/LQwmz-Gt0ZE" height="315" width="560"></iframe></p>
<p>April 17, 2012: <a href="http://www.postingandtoasting.com/2012/4/18/2957107/knicks-vs-celtics-leftovers" target="_blank">J.R. lights it up</a> in the first half of a dominant win over the Celtics.</p>
<p>May 3, 2012: From the first-round loss to the Heat, maybe J.R.'s best dunk as a Knick. Maybe one of the best Knicks dunks I've ever seen:</p>
<p><iframe frameborder="0" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/WVpLXF6g_PE" height="315" width="560"></iframe></p>
<p>May 24, 2012: <a href="http://www.postingandtoasting.com/2012/5/25/3042799/report-j-r-smith-got-arrested-last-night" target="_blank">J.R. gets arrested in Miami </a>for some weirdness with his driver's license.</p>
<p>May 31, 2012: <a href="http://www.postingandtoasting.com/2012/5/31/3054458/while-you-were-sleeping-j-r-smith-held-a-bicycle-rally" target="_blank">J.R. invites people from the internet to ride bikes around Manhattan with him, and they do</a>.</p>
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<p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"><a target="_top" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" href="https://instagram.com/p/LSCv5CtfFu/">We out here!</a></p>
<p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A photo posted by JR Smith (@teamswish) on <time datetime="2012-05-31T07:02:42+00:00" style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;">May 5, 2012 at 12:02am PDT</time></p>
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<p>July 10, 2012: <a style="background-color: #ffffff;" href="http://www.postingandtoasting.com/2012/7/10/3148746/j-r-smith-will-re-sign-with-the-knicks" target="_blank">J.R. re-signs with the Knicks</a> on a one-and-one deal after declining his previous player option.</p>
<p>November 4, 2012: <a href="http://www.postingandtoasting.com/2012/11/5/3607796/video-j-r-smith-trails-the-play-dunks-from-waaaaay-out" target="_blank">J.R. dunks from waaaaay out</a> off a pass from Pablo Prigioni.</p>
<p>November 15, 2012: <a href="http://www.postingandtoasting.com/2012/11/15/3650112/j-r-smith-wears-suits-now-and-doesnt-go-out-so-much-anymore-and-stuff" target="_blank">Mike Woodson et al make a huge deal of J.R. not sagging his pants</a> and stuff.</p>
<p>December 6 and December 27, 2012: J.R. hits game-winners against the <a href="http://www.postingandtoasting.com/2012/12/6/3733524/knicks-100-bobcats-98-what-a-absurd-ending-to-an-absurd-game" target="_blank">Bobcats</a> and <a href="http://www.postingandtoasting.com/2012/12/27/3806602/knicks-99-suns-97-thank-you-j-r" target="_blank">Suns</a>.</p>
<p>January 3, 2013: <a href="http://www.postingandtoasting.com/2013/1/4/3834594/knicks-100-spurs-83-pour-it-on" target="_blank">J.R. finishes that ridiculous alley-oop</a> off a low feed from Pablo Prigioni. During a P&T meet-up and a win over the Spurs!</p>
<p><iframe frameborder="0" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/YgZJeuBkSB4" height="315" width="560"></iframe></p>
<p>January 9, 2013: MSG's tribute to J.R.'s profound love for passing to Steve Novak and only Steve Novak:</p>
<p><iframe frameborder="0" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/XabjXTNYY9c" height="315" width="560"></iframe></p>
<p>February 3, 2013: <a href="http://www.postingandtoasting.com/2013/2/3/3947334/knicks-kings-kurt-thomas-three-video" target="_blank">Pretty sure this the first J.R. guitar celebration</a>:</p>
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<p>February 11, 2013: <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nba-ball-dont-lie/why-j-r-smith-basketball-power-ranger-actually-212543489--nba.html" target="_blank">J.R. is a Power Ranger</a>.</p>
<p>February 21, 2013: J.R. wonders if a girl on Twitter is <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/2013/2/21/4015422/j-r-smith-you-trying-to-get-the-pipe-knicks-twitter" target="_blank">trying to get the pipe</a>, then <a href="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/2213525/youtryintogetthepipe.jpg" target="_blank">keeps making jokes about it </a>after those DMs leak.</p>
<p>February 25, 2013: <a href="http://www.postingandtoasting.com/2013/2/5/3954100/video-j-r-smith-airball-free-throw-gets-frozen-out-by-children" target="_blank">J.R. air-balls a free throw</a>, much to Purpletie Broman's dismay ...</p>
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<img alt="broman" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/Vxip58IFeDEMdJAs0OArOHq7jTQ=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/2907798/BCTXlsrCAAAlDUv_medium.0.jpg">
</figure>
</p>
<p>... then, for the first of several times, joins in the halftime kids basketball game and gets frozen out!</p>
<p><iframe frameborder="0" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/wd2Ef1p36lw" height="315" width="560"></iframe></p>
<p>March 7, 2013: Left to play the dominant Thunder pretty much by himself, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pln_ajhqsok" target="_blank">J.R. goes off for 36 points </a>and damn near beats them.</p>
<p>March 13, 2013: Milford Jerome's J.R. tribute music video "So Right" begins its 178-month chart-topping run.</p>
<p><iframe frameborder="0" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/UGT1dQHEd7E" height="315" width="560"></iframe></p>
<p>Late March 2013: The peak of the driving, dishing, foul-drawing dynamo they call Good J.R. <a href="http://www.postingandtoasting.com/2013/3/28/4156270/j-r-smiths-lunch-and-other-knicks-grizzlies-leftovers" target="_blank">Here are some good quotes from his best stretch as a Knick</a>.</p>
<p>April 10, 2013: <a href="http://www.postingandtoasting.com/2013/4/10/4207186/j-r-smith-pipe" target="_blank">One of the best posts in P&T history</a>.</p>
<p>April 22, 2013: <a href="http://www.postingandtoasting.com/2013/4/22/4252154/j-r-smith-will-win-sixth-man-of-the-year" target="_blank">J.R. is selected as the NBA's 2012-2013 Sixth Man of the Year</a>.</p>
<p>April 23, 2013: <a href="http://www.postingandtoasting.com/2013/4/24/4260816/j-r-smiths-knicks-celtics-leftovers-nba-playoffs" target="_blank">J.R. shines in Game 2 of the Celtics series</a> with a big dunk, a buzzer-beater, a gorgeous pass to Kenyon Martin, and another guitar celebration.</p>
<p>April 26, 2013: <a href="http://www.postingandtoasting.com/2013/4/27/4273404/jr-smith-knicks-celtics-game-3-leftovers-nba-playoffs" target="_blank">J.R. throws the elbow</a> to Jason Terry's face that will get him suspended for the next game while the Knicks get dangerously close to blowing that series:</p>
<p> <figure class="e-image">
<img alt=" " data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/rQqdIBv1LVkQMNlghr6v1Bfv600=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/2907790/jrelbow.0.gif">
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<p>May, 2013: <a href="http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/gossip/rihanna-call-smith-instagram-article-1.1346588" target="_blank">Rihanna stuff</a>. Just, overall, so much stuff.</p>
<p>July 4, 2013: After declining his player option, <a href="http://www.postingandtoasting.com/2013/7/4/4493316/j-r-smith-knicks-sign-four-years" target="_blank">J.R. signs what is believed to be a four-year deal </a>with the Knicks.</p>
<p>July 15, 2013: <a style="background-color: #ffffff;" href="http://www.postingandtoasting.com/2013/7/15/4526528/j-r-smith-knee-surgery-out-3-to-4-months" target="_blank">J.R. has knee surgery</a>.</p>
<p>July 16, 2013: <a href="http://www.postingandtoasting.com/2013/7/16/4530516/beck-j-r-smith-deal-three-years-knicks" target="_blank">Actually, J.R.'s deal is for just three years </a>with a player option in the third.</p>
<p>August 19, 2013: <a href="http://probasketballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/08/19/j-r-smith-is-basically-driving-a-tank-around-manhattan/" target="_blank">We all think J.R.'s driving around in an armored car</a>.</p>
<p>September 6, 2013: <a href="http://www.postingandtoasting.com/2013/9/6/4702050/dammit-jr" target="_blank">J.R. gets a five-game suspension</a> for failing a third marijuana test (unrelated: <a href="http://blacksportsonline.com/home/2012/05/jr-smith-caught-smoking-a-blunt-on-south-beach-photos/" target="_blank">he had been photographed smoking a blunt </a>months prior).</p>
<p>October 25, 2013: <a href="http://www.postingandtoasting.com/2013/10/25/5028730/toure-murry-cole-aldrich-and-chris-smith-are-knicks" target="_blank">The Knicks sign Chris Smith because he is J.R. Smith's brother</a> even though he is bad.</p>
<p>November 15, 2013: <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/2013/11/15/5109204/jr-smith-fine-twitter-brandon-jennings" target="_blank">J.R. gets fined $25,000 for Twitter-beefing with Brandon Jennings</a> about the stuff with Chris.</p>
<p>December 30, 2013: <a href="http://www.postingandtoasting.com/2013/12/30/5257752/the-knicks-have-waived-chris-smith" target="_blank">The Knicks waive Chris Smith even though he is J.R. Smith's brother</a> because he is bad.</p>
<p>December 30, 2013:</p>
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<p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"><a target="_top" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" href="https://instagram.com/p/ij3-rfNfHS/">#OnceAgain</a></p>
<p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A photo posted by JR Smith (@teamswish) on <time datetime="2013-12-30T21:17:00+00:00" style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;">Dec 12, 2013 at 1:17pm PST</time></p>
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<p>January 3, 2014: <a target="_blank" href="http://www.postingandtoasting.com/2014/1/3/5272154/final-score-rockets-102-knicks-100">J.R. loses track of the score and shoots way too early</a> at the end of a close game against the Rockets that the Knicks go on to lose.</p>
<p>January 8, 2014: <a href="http://www.postingandtoasting.com/2014/1/8/5288412/the-nba-fined-j-r-smith-50000-for-messing-with-opponents-shoelaces" target="_blank">J.R. gets fined $50,000</a> for repeatedly trying to untie opponents' shoelaces.</p>
<p>January 8, 2014: <a href="http://www.postingandtoasting.com/2014/1/8/5289388/espn-knicks-are-looking-into-trading-j-r-smith" target="_blank">The Knicks leak a rumor</a> that they're trading to trade J.R.</p>
<p>January 22, 2014: <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/lookit/2014/1/22/5336606/j-r-smith-plays-a-little-halftime-air-guitar" target="_blank">J.R. plays some air guitar </a>with a halftime performer.</p>
<p><iframe frameborder="0" height="600" width="600" src="https://vine.co/v/MB1xHU1MDY5/embed/simple" class="vine-embed"></iframe>
<script charset="utf-8" src="//platform.vine.co/static/scripts/embed.js"></script>
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<p>February 11, 2014: <a href="http://www.postingandtoasting.com/2014/2/11/5401284/j-r-smith-broke-his-cheekbone-will-wear-a-mask" target="_blank">J.R. breaks his cheekbone</a>, has to wear a mask for a little while.</p>
<p>March 27, 2014: <a href="http://www.postingandtoasting.com/2014/3/27/5553774/video-all-nine-of-j-r-smiths-threes-in-sacramento" target="_blank">J.R. buries a Knick-record-tying nine threes against the Kings</a>.</p>
<p>April 6, 2014: <a href="http://www.postingandtoasting.com/2014/4/6/5588382/video-all-22-of-j-r-smiths-three-point-attempts-in-miami" target="_blank">J.R. breaks his own Knicks record with ten three-pointers on an NBA record 22 attempts</a>.</p>
<p>October 24, 2014: <a href="http://www.postingandtoasting.com/2014/10/24/7061875/j-r-smith-knows-hes-struggling-with-the-triangle" target="_blank">J.R. admits he's having a lot of trouble</a> with the Triangle offense.</p>
<p>November 5, 2014: <a href="http://www.postingandtoasting.com/2014/11/5/7163377/j-r-smith-suspended-one-game-for-punching-glen-rice-jr-s-nuts" target="_blank">J.R. gets suspended a game </a>for punching Glen Rice Jr. in the nuts.</p>
<p>November 12, 2014:</p>
<p><iframe class="vine-embed" src="https://vine.co/v/Oi0q9JaXmbU/embed/simple" width="600" height="600" frameborder="0"></iframe>
<script src="//platform.vine.co/static/scripts/embed.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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<p>January 2, 2015:</p>
<p>
<script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<p>J.R. Smith with an early candidate for quote of the year last night <a href="https://t.co/obeADwK0s0">pic.twitter.com/obeADwK0s0</a></p>
— Kenny Ducey (@KennyDucey) <a href="https://twitter.com/KennyDucey/status/551391752381554688">January 3, 2015</a>
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<p>January 6, 2015:</p>
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<p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"><a target="_top" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" href="https://instagram.com/p/xhEreJtfL2/">I want to thank Mr. Dolan and the Knicks organization for giving me the opportunity to play for such a storied franchise over the past few seasons. I want to thank my teammates for their support and guidance. Most importantly, I want thank the fans of New York who are some of the most passionate basketball fans in the world. Playing in my hometown has been incredibly special and I will be forever grateful for having had the chance to wear a Knicks uniform. Though I look forward to starting a new chapter in Cleveland to join some of the best talent in the game in the quest for an NBA Championship, this great experience in New York will always stay with me. Thank you again, fans. Your support means the world.</a></p>
<p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A photo posted by JR Smith (@teamswish) on <time datetime="2015-01-06T15:01:09+00:00" style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;">Jan 1, 2015 at 7:01am PST</time></p>
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<p>Farewell, J.R. I think that was pretty thorough, but please share anything I've missed in the comments. I've already added a few!</p>
https://www.postingandtoasting.com/2015/1/6/7499405/j-r-smiths-greatest-hitsSeth2015-01-06T09:00:10-05:002015-01-06T09:00:10-05:00P&T Round(ball) Table: Memories of Iman Shumpert
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/VPu1fYt-pIgd9wNfsfibNCWVgNg=/0x67:2001x1401/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/45159888/459767316.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Alex Goodlett/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Bon voyage, Shump.</p> <p>David Lee. Wilson Chandler. Iman Shumpert. In two decades, only three players have been drafted by the Knicks and made it to their fourth season in New York (Nate Robinson was originally drafted by the Suns). This is a franchise that has traditionally pawned off its draft picks at the earliest opportunity. And when the Ted Stepien Rule deigned to intervene, practically forcing them to keep young talent on the roster, the Knicks could usually be counted on to marginalize the poor sap and grind his confidence into dust. These three survived the longest. They should probably be given a medal.</p>
<p>Shump was multi-talented, athletically gifted, and cool as hell. He also never posted a PER or WS/48 rating above the league average. He showed glimpses of excellence, but could never be counted on to maintain that elite play for more than a few games at a time.</p>
<p>Maybe the flat-topped one will find that consistency some day -- all we know is that it won't be in New York. On Monday Shumpert was traded, along with J.R. Smith, to the Cleveland Cavaliers for what amounts to a 2019 second-round pick and a handful of stale Fritos from David Blatt's pocket. Some of us liked the trade; some of us had hoped the Knicks could find a place for Shump next season at the right price.</p>
<p>Whatever your thoughts on the deal that sent him away, and whatever your thoughts on his past, present and future, you probably have some strong feelings about Iman Shumpert. We here at P&T certainly do. Let's go around the table for some memories and final impressions of Shump as he heads to Cleveland.</p>
<p><b>Seth:</b> I will best remember Shump from that Pacers playoff series. That was the Shump I thought could become a real, everyday thing: Deadly three-point shooting, wing defense, and splendid rebounding for his position.</p>
<p>Silly as it may be, I still think he could become that somewhere someday. Maybe it just wasn't meant to happen in New York, as much as he seemed like a fit back on draft night. For all his virtues, Shump strikes me as a sensitive guy. That didn't work so well for him in the constant churn of the Knicks. He always seemed affected by changing coaches, changing roles, trade rumors, and the push and pull of suffering and rehabilitating from injuries, perhaps more than most.</p>
<p>I think it's fair to say Shumpert ran out of excuses over almost four years as a Knick-- at some point, the shots have to stay falling and the defense has to match its potential, weird environment or not-- but dammit, I still believe in those excuses.</p>
<p><b>WScottD:</b> Shumpert's been one of those players I had trouble analyzing without bias ever since the Knicks drafted him. In reality, he's streaky in almost every way: shooting, creating his own shot, setting up teammates, locking down opposing ball-handlers. That's probably just who he is. But with Knicks-colored glasses on, he was a feisty guy who embodied that old-school Knicks spirit; a guy who showed flashes of top 3-and-D wing, who could rebound, make a competent pass, and occasionally cram it on somebody's head.</p>
<p>The potential for it to all come together was so teasing, infuriating, and exciting at the same time, I couldn't help but get wrapped up in what he might be able to do one day do. His back-to-back steals on Dwyane Wade in 2012 might best embody him. Fierce, relentless, great hands, poor finish, an OK passer, totally lovable. I don't know what it is about that play in a meaningless loss, but it gets me fired up every time. I'll miss you, Shump.</p>
<p><b>Jonathan Schulman:</b> I am going to desperately miss Iman Shumpert. He's the first guy since John Starks that I irrationally put every ounce of hope into. Aside from being a basketball player that was fun to watch on my all-time favorite team, he just seems like a kind and genuine person. Contrarily he was a real menacing live wire guarding the ball, and you could just see how he was dripping with potential. If he could only put it together all at once! Ah, I thought that for years. Sadly, injuries and perhaps too much responsibility overstuffed the burrito of his capability. My favorite "moment" is kind of a collection of strips and hounds against the Bulls and Derrick Rose.</p>
<p><b>MMiranda:</b> Fave Shump memory is the night he was drafted. I believe Colleen Dominguez interviewed Spike Lee right after the pick was made, since idiots everywhere think Spike Lee is the Knick fans' mascot and that he speaks for us. Dominguez meant to ask Spike about drafting Shump when Landry Fields was already here but called him Carl Landry instead; then Spike lamented taking Shump when Chris Singleton was available.</p>
<p><b>Matt RW:</b> I've always felt more personally connected to Iman Shumpert than any other Knick. I didn't start watching basketball in a serious manner until the 2009-10 season, so Shump was the first draft pick I experienced as a legitimate Knicks fan. On top of that, he's been the player closest in age to me on the team (he's only a few months older than I am) for the entirety of my fandom. Suffice it to say, I'm upset to see him go.</p>
<p>When I watch Shump, it's easy for me to imagine myself in his shoes; acting the way he acts, hanging out with the people he hangs out with, growing the hair he grew, etc. All of the on-court stuff was always secondary for me with Shump, though I held out hope that he would realize his potential and become the all-around threat we all knew he could be. But what it boils down to for me is that he just seemed like a cool dude and I wanted him to remain in New York for as long as possible. I knew his time as a Knick was probably nearing an end, but it sucks that it had to end right now, at the lowest of low points. Good luck in Cleveland, Shump. I'll miss you.</p>
<p><b>ChristianBaber</b>: Iman Shumpert's departure feels like the end of an era, though it's only been a brief few years since he was drafted. Shump came to the Knicks with more than a little attitude and personality. I watched him a bit at Georgia Tech, but my first real memories were of the lean rookie loudly proclaiming, "Shump-Shump ain't touch you" in practice. I was instantly smitten.</p>
<p>Shumpert seemed like a perfect fit in New York. His dogged determination on the court meshed with his metropolitan demeanor off of it to create a unique celebrity the city could really support. He dropped a mixtape, Th3 #Post90s, and coined the Knickstape hashtag. He's not a star, and not yet close, but he looked the part. I felt a certain affinity for a young man my age with apparently similar interests. If I were a celebrity, I'd probably want to drop mixtapes and date singers too. He's struggled with injuries, and hasn't developed into the defensive superstar we'd all hoped he'd become. Still, it's tough saying goodbye to one of the coolest Knicks I've ever seen. I'd had high hopes for Shumpert becoming a Knicks lifer. I'm gonna miss that guy.</p>
<p>Share your own Shump memories and farewell thoughts in the comments.</p>
https://www.postingandtoasting.com/2015/1/6/7499407/p-t-round-ball-table-memories-of-iman-shumpertJoe Flynn2015-01-05T20:29:12-05:002015-01-05T20:29:12-05:00So, the Knicks traded J.R. and Shump for nothing
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<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/0RavMJG8LsNKj50SV8om1n5jP50=/0x0:3000x2000/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/45156948/usa-today-7648242.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p><b>Update</b>: <a target="_blank" href="http://www.nba.com/knicks/knicks-part-three-team-trade?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=tweets&utm_content=twitter_1420516100">Here's the full trade release</a>:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>New York Knickerbockers President Phil Jackson announced today that the team has acquired forward Lou Amundson, center Alex Kirk and a 2019 second-round draft choice from Cleveland and forward Lance Thomas from Oklahoma City as part of a three-team trade.</p>
<p>Guards Iman Shumpert and J.R. Smith were sent from New York to Cleveland and guard Dion Waiters from Cleveland to Oklahoma City. Oklahoma City also sent Cleveland a future first-round draft choice. In addition, center Samuel Dalembert has been waived.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>No word yet on which (presumably most, if not all) of those new guys will get waived. Thoughts below.</p>
<p>So, Twitter went down when everything was aflutter and remains down, but as I understand it, the Knicks just participated in the giving end of a three-team deal with the Cavaliers and Thunder.</p>
<p>They're giving up: Iman Shumpert and J.R. Smith (and waiving Samuel Dalembert)</p>
<p>And acquiring:</p>
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<script charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
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<blockquote lang="en" class="twitter-tweet">
<p>Knicks will get lance Thomas, Alex Kirk and Lou Amundsen in the deal - expected to waive all three. Also getting future second rounder.</p>
— Steve Popper (@StevePopper) <a href="https://twitter.com/StevePopper/status/552267048303493121">January 6, 2015</a>
</blockquote>
<p>That is that "NBA equivalent of nothing" we were talking about earlier. You may have seen rumors that Reggie Jackson is coming to the Knicks (and may still be seeing that because Twitter's busted), but that is not true. It sounds like he's not involved in the trade at all.</p>
<p>Why would the Knicks do this? Well, the Knicks want space. J.R. Smith, who will likely pick up his $6.4 million player option for next season, was going to take up a fat chunk of that space. Shumpert, meanwhile, has an expiring contract. The Knicks, it appears, wanted to dump J.R.'s money and didn't intend to make a serious bid for Shump in restricted agency this summer, so now the roster is utterly empty, this season and next. Just eyeballing it, their salary figures sits closer to $30 million than $40 million next season.</p>
<p>On one hand, I love Iman Shumpert and have enjoyed J.R. Smith and am sad to see two consistently entertaining personalities and talented players off my favorite team. On the other hand, I think getting rid of J.R. was a need and losing Shump was a foregone conclusion. To me, the Knicks traded space for more space, plus a future second-rounder. Should they have held out for more assets in return? Maybe, but it's clear that emptiness trumps all else for these Knicks. They're gonna have a lot of it. Dad is leaning hard into this plan.</p>
<p>Looking more proximally ahead, New York now has three open spots to bring up Thanasis Antetokounmpo and/or Langston Galloway from the Westchester Knicks, to take on expiring contracts from other teams...or whatever. The Knicks were barely a basketball team before and they're basically a pile of empty, dirty blue pajamas at this point. And I'm okay with that.</p>
<p>We'll bid a proper farewell to J.R. and Shump in the near future. (And goodbye to you, too, Sam, but...sorry.) In the meantime, welcome to New York, nothing!</p>
<p><b>Update</b>: The nothing might be better than we originally thought!</p>
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<p>Oklahoma City is sending a protected future first-round pick to the New York Knicks, league source tells Yahoo Sports.</p>
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/WojYahooNBA/status/552277233117982721">January 6, 2015</a>
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<p>...or not?</p>
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<p>Told that the only pick coming to the Knicks in the deal is the future 2nd rounder. But deal is not officially signed in blood yet.</p>
— Steve Popper (@StevePopper) <a href="https://twitter.com/StevePopper/status/552280607410364416">January 6, 2015</a>
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<p><b>Update:</b> Nope, looking like no first-rounder. Reports have done a good job of getting our hopes up tonight!</p>
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<p>As part of three-team deal, Cavs will get a heavily protected future first-rounder from OKC and Knicks will get a 2019 second-round from CLE</p>
— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) <a href="https://twitter.com/ESPNSteinLine/status/552283310874165250">January 6, 2015</a>
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<p>The exception details:</p>
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<p>Knicks will also get a salary cap exception of nearly $6 million for Smith and $2.5 million for Shumpert.</p>
— Steve Popper (@StevePopper) <a href="https://twitter.com/StevePopper/status/552276134768177152">January 6, 2015</a>
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https://www.postingandtoasting.com/2015/1/5/7497321/so-the-knicks-traded-j-r-smith-and-iman-shumpert-for-nothingSeth2015-01-05T19:44:00-05:002015-01-05T19:44:00-05:00Woj: Knicks dealing J.R. Smith and Iman Shumpert
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<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/8MWrRv9svxGUHEXRQCR_KbVf7Es=/0x18:1236x842/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/45156746/usa-today-8308514.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p><b>Update</b>: <a href="http://www.postingandtoasting.com/2015/1/5/7497321/so-the-knicks-traded-j-r-smith-and-iman-shumpert-for-nothing" target="_blank">New post is here</a>.</p>
<p>MOMENTS before tip-off we have a deal. J.R. Smith was in the starting lineup tonight against Memphis, but instead, <a href="https://twitter.com/HerringWSJ/status/552246000916901888" target="_blank">he's part of a three-team deal with the Cavaliers and Thunder</a>:</p>
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<blockquote lang="en" class="twitter-tweet">
<p>New York is sending J.R. Smith to Cleveland, league sources tell Yahoo Sports.</p>
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/WojYahooNBA/status/552263397518364672">January 6, 2015</a>
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<p>Here's the rest of it, as far as we know for now:</p>
<blockquote lang="en" class="twitter-tweet">
<p>Three Cleveland players, including Waiters, on the way out, league sources tell Yahoo Sports. There's a trade call set for later tonight.</p>
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/WojYahooNBA/status/552262695589019649">January 6, 2015</a>
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<blockquote lang="en" class="twitter-tweet">
<p>Three Cleveland players, including Waiters, on the way out, league sources tell Yahoo Sports. There's a trade call set for later tonight.</p>
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/WojYahooNBA/status/552262695589019649">January 6, 2015</a>
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<p>This probably ends up with the Knicks getting the NBA equivalent of nothing -- not Reggie Jackson, not Dion Waiters, just some contracts -- in return while the Thunder and Cavs swap actual assets.</p>
<p>The reasons to trade J.R. Smith are clear: The Knicks don't like him in the Triangle and don't want to keep him around, but worry he'll pick up his $6.4 million player option.</p>
<p><b>Update:</b> SHUMP TOO!?</p>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<p>Along with Waiters, New York is sending Iman Shumpert to the Cavaliers, league sources tell Yahoo Sports.</p>
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/WojYahooNBA/status/552264565543927808">January 6, 2015</a>
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<p><b> Update: </b></p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<p>We are hearing Knicks won't be getting any roster players back in this deal. It's all for clearing cap space. JR had opt out.</p>
— Marc Berman (@NYPost_Berman) <a href="https://twitter.com/NYPost_Berman/status/552266355249270787">January 6, 2015</a>
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<p>Sam Dalembert is not in the deal. He will be waived today.</p>
— Steve Popper (@StevePopper) <a href="https://twitter.com/StevePopper/status/552266257731710976">January 6, 2015</a>
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<p><b> Update</b>: Space. So much space.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<p>Knicks will get lance Thomas, Alex Kirk and Lou Amundsen in the deal - expected to waive all three. Also getting future second rounder.</p>
— Steve Popper (@StevePopper) <a href="https://twitter.com/StevePopper/status/552267048303493121">January 6, 2015</a>
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https://www.postingandtoasting.com/2015/1/5/7497113/woj-knicks-dealing-j-r-smith-in-three-team-trade-with-thunder-andSeth