Knicks Rumors: New York Has Absolutely No Need for J.R. Smith

It has been quite a while since we could say the New York Knicks were on a roll, but they've won three straight despite a number of injuries and their new starting point guard Jeremy Lin is about to take over the world.

No, but seriously, the kid is good. He's scored 20-plus in each of the Knicks' three wins in his first three games playing starter's minutes (he's started the last two).

Carmelo Anthony and Amar'e Stoudemire have been battling injuries, among other things, but Lin's sudden appearance on the scene has steadied the ship.

Coach Mike D'Antoni has been desperate for guard play and Lin's emergence is arguably the most welcoming surprise of the NBA season. 

It also allows them to give Baron Davis more time to heal up his achy back (if it ever heals).

The problem with the Knicks is that they're always trying to screw things up when trying to get better.

Rumors have surfaced that they're heavily interested in J.R. Smith once he is liberated from China. Adding the 26-year-old guard would be a huge mistake for this team despite their need for perimeter scorers.

Smith can shoot the three and is quite the athletic specimen, but he has questionable character, won't play defense and has a propensity to put up ill-advised shoots nearly every time he touches the ball.

The Knicks already have two black holes on offense who don't know how to pass or play defense, and they certainly don't need to add a third.

New York needs to focus on finding a sharpshooter while hoping Melo and Amar'e can figure themselves out. Neither superstar is on track or entirely healthy right now and when either of them get a chance to see the ball, they hoard it like Gollum protecting the one ring. Of course, when they finally let go of it, they launch shots like the fires of Mount Doom have scorched their hands.

The Knicks need help defending and they need help with their perimeter shooting. What they don't need is another offensive black hole.

Their desperation to use the $2.5 million exception will be wasted if they use it on J.R. Smith.