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J.R. Smith thinks there’s a great chance Kyrie Irving signs with the New York Knicks

By Quenton S. Albertie

NEW YORK, NY - FEBRUARY 24: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Kyrie Irving #11 of the Boston Celtics in action against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on February 24, 2018 in New York City. The Celtics defeated the Knicks 121-112. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - FEBRUARY 24: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Kyrie Irving #11 of the Boston Celtics in action against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on February 24, 2018 in New York City. The Celtics defeated the Knicks 121-112. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /
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Cleveland Cavaliers guard J.R. Smith believes former teammate Kyrie Irving has a “high” chance of signing with the New York Knicks.

Cleveland Cavaliers shooting guard J.R. Smith believes that Boston Celtics All-Star Kyrie Irving — the superstar point guard drafted first overall by the Cavs in 2011 — has a “high” chance of signing with the New York Knicks after his contract expires in 2019.

Smith made the comment on Instagram in response to a question about the Knicks’ chances of signing Uncle Drew (h/t Knicks Film School):

Irving, who infamously requested a trade from the Cavs last summer despite three consecutive trips to the NBA Finals, is the Knicks’ top free agent target according to NBC Sports Boston’s A. Sherrod Blakely.

Quote transcribed by NBC Sports’ Dan Feldman:

"I can tell you right now, the New York Knicks, he is their No. 1 target. I’ve spoken with people within that organization. They have made it absolutely crystal clear to me that, if they had their pick of guys that are going to be in the free agent market this summer, Kyrie would be their first, second, third and fourth choice."

With that strong of a statement, there’s no reason to doubt that the New York Knicks will do everything in their power to sign Irving next season.

They’re already expected to buy out oft-injured center Joakim Noah’s contract. Per Spotrac, Noah was set to earn $19 million next season.

Point guard Frank Ntilikina, the eighth overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft, doesn’t have his contract ($4.8 million) guaranteed for next season.

He had a few nice games but averaging 5.9 points, 3.2 assists and 0.8 steals in 21.9 minutes per game on a 47.3 true shooting percentage is nothing to call home about. It’s definitely nothing that should stop them from targeting Irving as a free agent.

Only $1 million of small forward Lance Thomas’ $7.5 contract is guaranteed next season.

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Center Enes Kanter has a $27.9 million cap hold, so they likely have to renounce his free agent rights to sign Irving.

Kanter is a gifted player offensively but the same can’t be said of his aptitude for defense.

Further, by that time Kristaps Porzingis could be ready to play center; with the league trending towards less traditional frontcourts, Porzingis’ skill and length at the center position is ideal. Porzingis will have a cap hold of $7.5 million.

Though they’re projected to be $30.7 million over the cap at the start of the summer, they can free up $39.2 million in addition to whatever they’ll save on Noah’s contract.

Noah, who has played a total of 75 games over the last three seasons, shouldn’t demand much in his buyout. So if they save around $10 million, the Knicks still have a a couple more moves to make before they can sign Irving to max contract but will have nearly $20 million in cap space without having to make a trade.

A trade that would likely involve Courtney Lee and his $12 million contract, giving them amount of cap space they would need to sign Irving to the max.

As for why Irving would choose to play for the Knicks, it’s simple:

For one, the Boston Celtics have amassed so much talent that Irving could be phased out if the Celtics attempt to save money or want to return backup point guard Terry Rozier to a starting role. To that point, Irving may want to be proactive in that situation, like he was when he heard the Cleveland Cavaliers had interest in trading him to the Phoenix Suns.

Secondly, Irving is intellectually stimulated by diverse interests. I’ve never been to Boston and I’m sure it’s a great place to live but New York is known for the type of activities Irving likes, from basketball to Broadway musicals.

Lastly, he’d be the “hometown hero.” He wasn’t born in New York and he only lived there for a couple of years as a youth but he grew up within an hour of New York, in West Orange, New Jersey. His father was born and raised in the Bronx, New York.

Related Story. 5 reasons Cavs fans should be excited for next season. light

It’s not necessarily inevitable that Irving becomes a Knick but as Smith, a former Knick himself, said: the chance is “high.”