The Milwaukee Bucks are set to lose a shooter in guard Monta Ellis, but reports suggest that they could replace him with a similar player.
ESPN New York is reporting that the Bucks have strong interest in free agent to be, J.R. Smith, who is expected to opt out of his current Knicks contract.
The Milwaukee Bucks have “strong” interest in the New York Knicks’ J.R. Smith and also want to make an offer to his teammate Chris Copeland, two league sources confirmed to ESPN.com.
The Bucks will be entering free agency with their starting backcourt, Brandon Jennings and Monta Ellis, testing free agency. But they also have leverage because they are under the cap, unlike the Knicks, and they can outbid for the services of Smith and Copeland.
The most Smith can make in New York is $5.58 million with early Bird rights. He declined his player option of $2.9 million earlier this month, making him an unrestricted free agent.
I struggle to believe that even with the offer of a starting job, J.R. Smith would trade in the bright lights of New York City and that club scene for Milwaukee.
I’m sorry, I can’t see it.