J.R. Smith declines option with Knicks, becomes free agent Sixth Man of the Year J.R. Smith has informed the New York Knicks that he will decline the option in his contract for next season and become a free agent. A team spokesman also says Tuesday the Knicks extended a qualifying offer to forward Chris Copeland, making him a restricted free agent and allowing them to match any offer he receives. Smith's decision was not a surprise given that he can make much more than the $2.9 million he was scheduled to earn next season. The New Jersey product is happy in New York and is a longtime teammate of Carmelo Anthony so he would likely want to stay with the right offer. Smith averaged 18.1 points in 80 regular-season games but his horrendous 29 per cent shooting and poor decisions over the final eight post-season games could scare off potential suitors.