Carmelo Anthony & JR Smith see problems with Jeremy Lin’s contract offer

It’s looking more and more likely that the Knicks won’t be matching the contract the Houston Rockets gave to Jeremy Lin. In light of comments made by Carmelo Anthony and JR Smith, for chemistry’s sake, it seems like that is probably not a bad thing.

In an interview with Sports Illustrated, Smith was extremely candid about the situation with Lin and his contract.

“I think some guys take it personal, because they’ve been doing it longer and haven’t received any reward for it yet. I think it’s a tough subject to touch on for a lot of guys.”

Smith recently signed a new deal with the Knicks. A two-year deal that will pay him $2.8 million in the first season and has a player option in the second. Smith was the Knicks third leading scorer in the playoffs.

During a Team USA practice in DC, Carmelo Anthony referred to the contract offer as  “ridiculous.” Not speaking about Lin’s value or play as a player per se but more to the Knicks salary cap considerations.

Anthony said that he wanted Lin to remain his teammate. But he followed that up with this remark: “It’s up to the organization to say that they want to match that ridiculous contract.”