May 7, 2013; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks shooting guard J.R. Smith (8) dribbles around Indiana Pacers point guard George Hill (3) during the first half in game two of the second round of the 2013 NBA Playoffs at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Debby Wong-USA TODAY Sports
The New York Knicks and swingman J.R. Smith have agreed to a new deal, Smith’s agent, Leon Rose, tells Frank Isola of the New York Daily News.
The deal is worth $24.7 million over four years, which is nice for Smith, who has basically been on a series of one-year deals.
Smith averaged 18.1 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.3 steals per game last season. Smith shot 42.2% from the field, 35.6% from beyond the arc and 76.2% from the charity stripe.
The Knicks have Smith’s early bird rights so this is the most they could offer the league’s reigning Sixth man of the Year.
The Knicks have been busy this offseason. They swung a deal for Toronto Raptors power forward Andrea Bargnani earlier this week. Bargnani has averaged 15.2 points per game over the course of his career, but would not have been able to replace Smith’s scoring, so this signing was a need for the Knicks.
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