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Guard J.R. Smith unsure if he will exercise option to remain with Knicks

Smith has 20 days to decide whether he will return to the Knicks next season. (Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images)

J.R. Smith

Guard J.R. Smith, who gave the New York Knicks a boost when he signed with the club upon returning from China, has until June 26 to decide whether to exercise a player option to return to the team this fall for $2.44 million.

A New Jersey native, Smith told Al Iannazzone of the Newark Star-Ledger that he loves being so close to home. But if Smith elects to become a free agent, the most the Knicks could offer him is $2.8 million, and he could possibly make $5 million or more elsewhere -- although he says that $$$ are not foremost on his mind.