Knicks Rumors: Why New York Shouldn't Sign JR Smith

Before Jeremy Lin's emergence, J.R. Smith appeared to be a logical addition for the New York Knicks, who needed extra firepower as they quickly began to slide out of the playoff picture.

But Lin's recent surge has changed everything.

Ramona Shelbourne of ESPNLosAngeles.com reported on Sunday that the Knicks and Los Angeles Clippers were the front-runners for Smith's services.

The Knicks are in better position, with a $2.5 million mini mid-level exception to play with this season. But you have to wonder if the Knicks would be a less cohesive bunch with Smith on the roster.

First of all, while Lin has shot at a very high clip lately, his greatest strength has been making those around him better. There are concerns that when stars Carmelo Anthony and Amar'e Stoudemire return, some of that chemistry will be lost.

In that respect, if you add a player like Smith, who would surely want some shots after heading back to the NBA, head coach Mike D'Antoni has so many pieces to work with that it would be hard to work everybody in.

There's also the fact that so many players have played better with Lin leading the charge. That includes Landry Fields, Iman Shumpert and Steve Novak.

Shumpert has looked good working alongside Lin at times, Novak was a big reason the Knicks beat the Minnesota Timberwolves on Saturday night and Fields just dropped 19 points on 8-of-10 shooting.

Also, while Smith is certainly athletic and lengthy, he has never been known as a consistently good defender. The Knicks wouldn't be as good a defensive club with Smith taking away minutes from Fields and Shumpert.

Sometimes less is more.

In this case, that's appropriate.