The Knicks and Clippers are frontrunners to sign J.R. Smith, according to a source.

New York can offer Smith a pro-rated share of their $2.5 million mini-midlevel exception and a player option for a second year while the Clippers can offer him only the veteran's minimum for the rest of this season.

Chris Paul has actively recruited Smith, whom he played with on the Hornets for two seasons.

"I think our chances are very high," Paul said earlier this week. "Who knows J.R. better than me?

"Also, he knows he'll have the opportunity to play here," Paul said. "He can only make us better."