Fisher and Smith
Oct 8, 2014; Hartford, CT, USA; New York Knicks head coach Derek Fisher (right) talks with guard J.R. Smith (8) during a break in the action against the Boston Celtics in the second half at XL Center. The Celtics defeated the New York Knicks 106-86. Reuters

The New York Knicks are not pegged to be serious title contenders in the 2014-2015 NBA Season but the Big Apple franchise has been discussing trades that will make them major players in the free agent market in 2015, when they hope to surround franchise player Carmelo Anthony with top-level talent with hopes that they become one of the league’s elite teams by that time.

One player the Knicks looked to deal away was controversial guard J.R. Smith, according to a report from the New York Post. The deal involves a swap with East rivals Indiana Pacers for forward Chris Copeland. The latter has an expiring contract after the 2014-2015 season and if acquired by New York, the Knicks will open up some cap space to accommodate the likes of Marc Gasol, who according to the article is N.Y.’s top target, or other players who will hit free agency in 2015.

Smith signed a three-year $17.95 million contract with New York in 2013 and he has the option to stay with the Knicks by picking up his player option for 2015-2016 -- something New York doesn’t like as they want to clear players and salary to make a run at players who may be a better fit with their new triangle offence under new head coach Derek Fisher and team president Phil Jackson.

Copeland is on the cheap -- being paid just $3M this season -- and his contract expires after the year. Jackson was noncommittal to Smith and his future in New York in a recent interview.

“I don’t know if that’s possible or not. He might be one of those guys that’s a little bit like Dennis Rodman, that has an outlier kind of side to him,” Jackson was quoted in the same NY Post article. “But I’m going to get to know him as we go along, and we’ll find a way to either make him a very useful player in our organization, or whatever.’’

Other potential targets for the New York Knicks in 2015 free agency include players like Rajon Rondo of the Boston Celtics; Jimmy Butler of the Chicago Bulls; DeAndre Jordan of the Los Angeles Clippers; and Reggie Jackson of the Oklahoma City Thunder. Smith averages 8.0 points in just 24.7 minutes per game this season for the Knicks.