Signs point to Smith joining Knicks
This March 12, 2011 file photo shows Denver Nuggets J.R. Smith (5) talking to a teammate during an NBA game against the Detroit Pistons, in Denver. Credit: AP
The Knicks are expected to add another scorer to play off of Jeremy Lin.
Explosive free-agent guard J.R. Smith, who was Carmelo Anthony's teammate in Denver, just returned from China, and all signs point to his joining the Knicks. An agreement could be reached in the next few days, league sources said.
UPDATE (Feb. 17, 10:20 a.m.): J.R. Smith tweets he's coming to the Knicks.
Smith's agent, Leon Rose, was at the Knicks-Kings game Wednesday. Rose, who also represents Anthony, reportedly met with Garden officials that night.
The Knicks and Clippers were said to be Smith's top two choices. But the Knicks have something the Clippers don't -- the $2.5-million mini-midlevel exception. The Knicks also have a system that caters to shooters, and Smith could flourish playing with Anthony, Amar'e Stoudemire and Lin. Smith has averaged 18.8 points in seven NBA seasons as mostly a sixth man.
The Knicks are working on opening a roster spot for Smith. Ironically, until about two weeks ago, Lin was the player the Knicks would have cut.
If the Knicks can't trade someone for a draft pick, the leading candidates to be waived are Jerome Jordan and Renaldo Balkman, although both are signed through next season. Mike Bibby has an expiring contract, but he's been the second point guard lately and the Knicks like him.
Smith, who was involved in the Nuggets-Knicks brawl at the Garden in 2006, was on the Knicks' radar when he was playing for the Zhejiang Golden Bulls. The Knicks held on to the mini-midlevel with Kenyon Martin and Smith in mind. But with their early-season scoring troubles and backcourt issues, they moved away from bringing in a defensive player like Martin and started leaning toward Smith.
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