J.R. Smith to Knicks: How New York Signing Smith Shakes Up the NBA

Multiple internet reports are claiming that free agent J.R. Smith is close to signing a deal with the New York Knicks.

Ever since returning from China, the dangerous sharpshooter has had the freedom to choose the team he finishes the season with.

From his Twitter page, Smith's short list of teams includes the Knicks, Los Angeles Clippers, Los Angeles Lakers, Orlando Magic, Chicago Bulls and Indiana Pacers.

Here are five ways that Smith's arrival to the Big Apple affects the NBA.

Gives Knicks Deepest Guard Rotation in the NBA

Last week, I discussed how the emergence of Jeremy Lin gave New York one of the deepest guard rotations in the league.

Now you can add J.R. Smith to a roster that already features Lin, Iman Shumpert, Toney Douglas, Landry Fields, Mike Bibby and Baron Davis.

So what exactly does this seven-guard lineup offer New York?

A franchise point guard?  Check.

A promising rookie?  Check.

Young, unselfish role players who spread the ball and play defense?  Check.

Veteran leadership?  Check.

A Sixth Man of the Year Award candidate who provides instant offense from the bench?  Check.

In my opinion, there’s not much more you can ask for.

Aside from a blend of athletic youth and veteran leadership, Smith’s signing would allow head coach Mike D’Antoni a type of flexibility that you rarely find in the NBA.

The presence of Smith will allow D’Antoni the freedom to tinker with his starting rotation based off of matchups.

Smith has made his career by averaging 12.5 points, while shooting 37.1 percent from three-point range.  His ability to catch fire on any given night makes him a legitimate 30-point scoring threat, even though he comes off the bench.

Renaldo Balkman Will Be Cut

Just like most midseason acquisitions, an addition is usually followed by a subtraction.

For J.R. Smith, the Knicks are expected to release seldom-used forward Renaldo Balkman.

This would effectively end his second stint in New York and essentially gives the Knicks a rotational player without having to sacrifice depth.

Since being reacquired in a deal that also brought Carmelo Anthony, Balkman has managed only 17 in-game appearances while contributing close to nothing.

A Quick Review of the Carmelo Anthony Trade

While we’re on the subject of last year’s trade between the Denver Nuggets and New York Knicks, let’s take a look at how it panned out.

Denver would receive Wilson Chandler, Raymond Felton, Danilo Gallinari, Timofey Mozgov and New York’s 2014 first-round pick.

In exchange, the Knicks would be compensated with Carmelo Anthony, Chauncey Billups, Sheldon Williams, Anthony Carter and Balkman.

Seven months later, only Balkman remains as a healthy player on both teams' rosters. 

While the Knicks are expecting Anthony back on Sunday, I find it hard to believe that anyone would’ve guessed Balkman as the only player in that trade who is suiting up.

After J.R. Smith signs with them, the Knicks will have not only poached Denver's top two scoring starters in Anthony and Billups, but also their top scoring reserve from last season.

Since last year’s blockbuster trade, the Nuggets have lost Mozgov to injury, Felton to Portland, Chandler to China, and Gallinari to an ankle injury.

After all is said and done, it seems like the Knicks are the winners in the deal with the Nuggets.

Leaves the Los Angeles Clippers with a Huge Void

The Los Angeles Clippers have rewritten the blueprint in the NBA.

Similar to how NFL teams can enjoy success with a running back by committee approach, the Clippers have done it with point guards.

By interchanging point guards Chris Paul, Chauncey Billups, Mo Williams and Randy Foye at both guard positions for the majority of the season, the Clippers have had little use for a shooting guard.

Until J.R. Smith became available.

ESPN reports that even before Billups suffered from a torn Achilles tendon injury, the Clippers had inquired about the guard's service.

Paul had even been actively recruiting Smith and told ESPN.com's Marc Stein, "I think our chances are very high."

Although there is some truth behind Paul's sentiment—it apparently isn't enough to bring him to LA.

While the Knicks add to their plethora of guards, the Clippers learn how their lack of a true shooting guard can interfere with their championship dreams.

J.R. Smith Will Be a Knick Next Year

Although Smith has fulfilled his contract obligations overseas, he still wants to get paid.

This is where New York has a distinct advantage over the Los Angeles teams.

The Knicks can offer Smith a $2.5 million mid-level exception that is pro-rated for each game he misses after February 10, while the Clippers and Lakers can only offer the veteran’s minimum.

This means that every game Smith misses, a portion of his salary will be deducted—which only adds to the pressure for him to put his name on the line.

Although the difference in contracts would play out to be around $1.5 million, the value lies in New York’s offer for a second-year player option.  This would ensure Smith has a job for next year, while giving him the freedom to become a free agent all over again.

With financial and job security established in Smith’s contract, I find it extremely unlikely that the shooting guard doesn’t return to the team he hand picked for at least one more season.