The New York Knicks are expected to make a run at signing big-name free agents this summer and in 2016, but former Knick J.R. Smith is unsure if the team could convince superstars to move to the Big Apple.

Smith, who was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers along with Iman Shumpert earlier this year in a deal that also involved the Oklahoma City Thunder, said that a player could be attracted by the chance to play in New York and be guided by 11-time champion coach Phil Jackson.

"You could look at it as a chance to play in New York, one of the best cities in the world, and get a chance to play for the guys who've won more rings than anyone in the business," Smith told Marc Berman of New York Post.

However, Smith added that the "triangle offense" implemented by Jackson and first-year coach Derek Fisher could hurt the Knicks' chances of landing superstars via free agency anytime soon, depending on the preferred playing style of a certain player.

"It's a matter if the situation fits your game," Smith added. "If you're a freelance player who likes to play up and down, it's not going to suit your game. If you like to play in the half court and move the ball and sacrifice, it is your situation."

Smith admitted that he struggled to adjust to the complex offensive system, pointing out that the structured sets are not tailor-made for his playing style. The 29-year-old guard added that there was a point when he was already second-guessing himself for his failure to adjust, knowing that well-known players have had success playing under the system, which helped Jackson win 11 championship rings as a coach of the Chicago Bulls and Los Angeles Lakers.

In 24 games with the Knicks this season, Smith averaged 10.9 points on 40.2 percent shooting from the field. Since moving to Cleveland, the 11-year veteran averaged 13.0 points on 42.4 shooting from the field.

While the difference between his numbers in New York and Cleveland are not too significant, most analysts are convinced that Smith has been more effective after the trade based on his performance in 22 games for the Cavaliers this season.

The sharp-shooting guard said that the Cavs' system is easier to grasp.

"I don't want to say I felt different [since the trade], [the system] was just easier to play," Smith said. "The style of basketball we play suits my game -- run and gun, shoot open shots. Just play."

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