NBA Rumors: J.R. Smith for Chris Copeland Possible?
By Evan Massey
The Indiana Pacers and New York Knicks appear to be discussing a trade involving Chris Copeland and J.R. Smith.
The Indiana Pacers and New York Knicks are both going to be fighting for one of the lower playoff spots in the Eastern Conference if the media predictions come true. Both teams are always looking to upgrade their roster and are always involved in the latest NBA rumors, and could be discussing a trade with each other. According to a report from Marc Berman of the New York Post, the Pacers and Knicks have discussed a trade involving Chris Copeland and J.R. Smith.
Copeland has been playing a big role with the Pacers due to all of the injuries, and has shown the ability to shoot and score at a high level. Smith on the other hand hasn’t fit into the triangle offense very well, and Phil Jackson has been considering a trade. Jackson doesn’t want to make a trade until after until on or after December 15th, when he can trade 2014 signees and draft picks.
Indiana fans would be upset with a trade of Copeland, as he has become a fan favorite in his first couple of seasons with the team. New York actually was the team that signed Copeland for his first season, and he would fit in very well as a shooter in the Knicks’ offense.
Through three games with the Pacers this season, Copeland has averaged 16.0 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per game. He has shot just 39.0 percent from the floor overall, but has shot 40.0 percent from behind the three-point arc.
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Smith has played in three games with the Knicks, averaging 8.0 points, 4.0 assists, and 1.7 rebounds per game. His overall shooting percentage is at 40.0 percent while shooting 28.6 percent from behind the three-point arc.
Larry Bird has been known to make mid-season trades that simply don’t work out, and these rumors have already drawn criticism from the Pacers’ fans. Copeland has been playing at a high level on the offensive end of the floor, but seemingly isn’t valued in the organization with the trade rumors arising. Smith has been a very dynamic scorer in the past, but has fallen off a bit over the past couple seasons.
Expect to hear plenty more trade rumors coming out of Indiana and New York, as both teams are keeping their eyes open for deals that may present themselves.