Should New York Knicks Take Any J.R. Smith Trade They Can Get at This Point?

Although J.R. Smith shows flashes of promise, it's time for the New York Knicks to move on and trade the inconsistent 6'6" shooting guard. 

Smith is a sporadic volume shooter who detracts from the team more than he contributes. 

The Knicks may be selling low on Smith at this juncture, but simply removing him will better the organization in the long run. Via ShamSports.com, Smith has a player option for 2015-16 worth $6.4 million that he is likely to exercise.

New York is better off ridding his contract and allocating that money to someone who fits Derek Fisher's system. 

Why Smith Must Go

Smith sometimes gets hot and knocks down a flurry of shots, but he isn't consistent enough to rely on as a second or third option—as his field-goal percentage of 41 reflects—due to his poor shot selection.

He also has a tendency to stagnate the offense. Via NBAsavant.com, Smith averages 2.478 dribbles with an average touch time of 3.122, which leads the team.

His average shot distance is from 19.44 feet on 205 shots taken. Only Jose Calderon and Pablo Prigioni shoot from further out on average, 20.236 and 21.196 feet on 115 and 103 shots, respectively.

Via BoxScoreGeeks.com, Smith leads the team in turnovers per 48 minutes with 3.64, and he's only produced .02 wins in 2014-15, while Amar'e Stoudemire has produced a team-leading 2.62.

Smith's ADJ P48 (adjusted production per 48 minutes) is also third-worst on the team at .05, in comparison to Stoudemire's .33, which leads the Knicks. 

Smith's VORP (value over replacement player), via Basketball-Reference.com, is minus-0.7, which is the lowest in his career. 

The advanced metrics do little to rationalize keeping Smith aboard.

Freeing Up Extra Cap Space

Frank Franklin II/Associated Press

Although the Knicks may have roughly $25 million available in the offseason, adding another $6.4 million to that total will make the franchise more of a threat in free agency.

New York will also have the luxury of absorbing some salary from another organization looking to dump a contract similarly to how the Cleveland Cavaliers used a portion of their cap space to acquire Kevin Love.

The Knicks sport the second-worst record in the league with Smith. By removing him and adding the potential of signing a more suitable player for Fisher's system, New York's fortunes should change for the better.

Smith is a decent player, especially when he's in rhythm, but it's obvious he isn't the type of player Fisher needs for the triangle offense.  

Potential Replacements

The Knicks won't be getting full value on Smith, but that shouldn't stand in their way of moving him. 

One trade idea that make sense financially is shipping Smith to the Toronto Raptors for Landry Fields. Fields is an expiring contract and has familiarity with the organization and city. He's also a high-IQ player—that could bode well for Fisher's offense. 

Another scenario may be sending Smith to the Portland Trail Blazers for Dorell Wright and Victor Claver. Wright is an expiring contract, and Claver will be up for a qualifying offer.

Wright is a low-cost shooter who can be sporadic at times, as his 42.6 field-goal percentage reflects, and Claver is a 6'9" power forward buried in Portland's depth chart. 

The Charlotte Hornets could be a candidate to land Smith as well. A deal of Gary Neal, Jannero Pargo and a second-rounder for Smith could assist both teams. New York would receive two expiring contracts plus a second-rounder, and the Hornets would get another scorer for their struggling offense. 

The Knicks won't be able to land much for Smith, but by shedding his contract and potentially receiving a second-round draft pick or a talented young player like Claver, New York would be better positioned than the organization currently is with Smith on its roster.