Report: J.R. Smith Choosing Between Knicks And Clippers

The New York Knicks and the Los Angeles Clippers are currently frontrunners to sign free-agent J.R. Smith, a source has told ESPN New York.

Due to their salary cap infrastructure, the Knicks can offer Smith more money than Los Angeles. The club is able to offer him their $2.5 million mini-midlevel exception, as well as a second year player option. The Clippers can only offer Smith the veteran’s minimum for the remainder of this season.

The Clippers (18-9), however, potentially boast a better chance at competing this postseason, as the young squad is currently in first place in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference. The Knicks (15-15), are on the rise after winning their last seven games in a row.