New York Knicks Rumors: Jason Smith not returning?
By Nick Ziegler
As the New York Knicks rumors slow down, the team still needs to fill out their roster with affordable players.
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Last season, one of those players that was an affordable signing was Jason Smith. Due to a few injuries, the Knicks were able to sign Smith to a very reasonable one-year deal. On the court, Smith was one of the better Knicks in a dreadful season.
In his first season with the Knicks, Smith averaged 8.0 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 1.7 assists per game. Smith was an efficient scorer for the Knicks after a tough start to the season, as he finished shooting 43.4% from the field and 35.7% from three-point range.
Phil Jackson and the Knicks had a busy offseason with the signings of Arron Afflalo, Kyle O’Quinn, Robin Lopez and Derrick Williams. Despite none of the players being the star the Knicks were looking for, the salary cap that Jackson created has been filled up.
Now, the Knicks have a $2.8 million room exception, but that likely won’t be used on Smith. With the good season Smith had last year for the Knicks and the way the market has been for free agents, Smith is worth more than the $2.8 million the Knicks can give him.
Smith was a perfect fit for the Knicks’ offense, as his jump shot was perfect in the triangle offense. According to the New York Post, Smith told the Knicks’ brass he’d like to return, but it is unlikely now that the Knicks don’t have the money to pay him.
With the return of Smith unlikely, the Knicks will likely look to re-sign Lou Amundson to provide some frontcourt depth. Amundson is the definition of a journey man, as he has played on 10 teams in his career, but his year with the Knicks was his best.
In New York last season, Amundson played in 41 games while averaging 6.0 points, 6.0 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and 1.3 blocks per game. The Knicks added some talent to their frontcourt by drafting Kristaps Porzingis and then signing Lopez, O’Quinn and Williams, meaning Amundson would likely not play much.
Amundson played very well for the Knicks last season, but Amundson is much better suited to be a role player or emergency player off the bench.
The Knicks essentially chose O’Quinn and Williams over Smith, which for a rebuilding team isn’t the worst idea with them both being much younger. Smith is best suited to help a contending team as a bench player, and he will be missed if he isn’t on the Knicks next season.
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