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NBA Rumors: JR Smith To Phoenix Suns?

By Vytis Lasaitis

Apr 14, 2013; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks shooting guard J.R. Smith (8) argues a foul call during the third quarter against the Indiana Pacers at Madison Square Garden. Knicks won 90-80. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 14, 2013; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks shooting guard J.R. Smith (8) argues a foul call during the third quarter against the Indiana Pacers at Madison Square Garden. Knicks won 90-80. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 14, 2013; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks shooting guard J.R. Smith (8) argues a foul call during the third quarter against the Indiana Pacers at Madison Square Garden. Knicks won 90-80. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 14, 2013; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks shooting guard J.R. Smith (8) argues a foul call during the third quarter against the Indiana Pacers at Madison Square Garden. Knicks won 90-80. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports /

It was recently reported that JR Smith, winner of the Sixth Man of the Year award last season, will be opting out of the last year of his contract with the New York Knicks, but that he would like to stay in New York. However, according to Al Iannazzone who covers the Knicks for NewsDay, one team that could potentially steal Smith this summer is the Phoenix Suns:

I know what you’re thinking — Michael Beasley and JR Smith on the same team? Grab the popcorn!

Considering the Suns’ current situation, they would probably have to offer Smith a relatively huge multi-year contract to convince him to leave NY. When you are rebuilding a team you would probably want to build around young players, not an inefficient guard who shoots too much. Sure, Phoenix games would be somewhat more entertaining with JR around, but would not do anything for the team’s future outlook.

Smith had a great regular season, but the last memory of the season that everyone has is his huge shooting slump in the playoffs.

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