<a href="/topics/Jared_Jeffries">Jared Jeffries</a> constantly is reminded of the pain that lasted the entire offseason. It was, to some Knicks fans, his Charles Smith moment: The failure of the 6-11 forward to power up for what seemed to be a textbook drop-step finish in the closing seconds of a 96-93 loss to the Celtics in Game 2 of the playoffs. 
 "I've watched that play a ton of times," Jeffries said. "I feel like I don't want that to define what I am as a Knick or what I did in my Knick career. I know I let a lot of people down, but no one more so than myself." 
 With that motivation, Jeffries wanted to come back to try again. Despite better offers elsewhere, he plans to accept a one-year contract from the Knicks for the veteran's minimum once the official free-agency signing period begins this weekend. 
 "Honestly, I want to win in New York," Jeffries said. "I feel last year we were very close." 
 <a href="/topics/Mike_D%27Antoni">Mike D'Antoni</a> has developed a strong affinity for Jeffries' versatility, especially on defense. The 10-year veteran signed with the Knicks in 2006 and was traded to the Rockets in 2009. He returned late last season after Houston waived him and played 24 regular-season games. He averaged 2 points and 3.4 rebounds in 19.3 minutes and shot 38 percent from the field. In the playoffs, his numbers improved to 6.3 points, 47.8-percent shooting and 5 rebounds in 21.3 minutes. 
 The Knicks still are monitoring the free-agent market. They have interest in former Pacers point guard <a href="/topics/Jamaal_Tinsley">Jamaal Tinsley</a>, who at 33 is attempting a comeback in the D-League. The Knicks also have looked at perimeter threats <a href="/topics/Jason_Kapono">Jason Kapono</a> and <a href="/topics/Anthony_Parker">Anthony Parker</a>, and center <a href="/topics/Jeff_Foster">Jeff Foster</a>. 
 Part of the Knicks' midlevel exception also may be in play for players such as <a href="/topics/Grant_Hill">Grant Hill</a> and <a href="/topics/Shannon_Brown">Shannon Brown</a>. 
 The Dolan family owns controlling interests in the Knicks, <a href="/topics/MSG_Network">MSG</a> and <a href="/topics/Cablevision">Cablevision</a>. <a href="/topics/Cablevision">Cablevision</a> owns Newsday.

Jared Jeffries constantly is reminded of the pain that lasted the entire offseason. It was, to some Knicks fans, his Charles Smith moment: The failure of the 6-11 forward to power up for what seemed to be a textbook drop-step finish in the closing seconds of a 96-93 loss to the Celtics in Game 2 of the playoffs. "I've watched that play a ton of times," Jeffries said. "I feel like I don't want that to define what I am as a Knick or what I did in my Knick career. I know I let a lot of people down, but no one more so than myself." With that motivation, Jeffries wanted to come back to try again. Despite better offers elsewhere, he plans to accept a one-year contract from the Knicks for the veteran's minimum once the official free-agency signing period begins this weekend. "Honestly, I want to win in New York," Jeffries said. "I feel last year we were very close." Mike D'Antoni has developed a strong affinity for Jeffries' versatility, especially on defense. The 10-year veteran signed with the Knicks in 2006 and was traded to the Rockets in 2009. He returned late last season after Houston waived him and played 24 regular-season games. He averaged 2 points and 3.4 rebounds in 19.3 minutes and shot 38 percent from the field. In the playoffs, his numbers improved to 6.3 points, 47.8-percent shooting and 5 rebounds in 21.3 minutes. The Knicks still are monitoring the free-agent market. They have interest in former Pacers point guard Jamaal Tinsley, who at 33 is attempting a comeback in the D-League. The Knicks also have looked at perimeter threats Jason Kapono and Anthony Parker, and center Jeff Foster. Part of the Knicks' midlevel exception also may be in play for players such as Grant Hill and Shannon Brown. The Dolan family owns controlling interests in the Knicks, MSG and Cablevision. Cablevision owns Newsday.

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