Knicks Trade Rumors: No Need to Swap for Another Scorer If J.R. Smith Falls Flat

Where once the New York Knicks seemed desperate for a complementary scorer, they will soon have an abundance once Carmelo Anthony rejoins Amar'e Stoudemire and two-week phenom Jeremy Lin in Mike D'Antoni's rotation.

As such, the Knickerbockers need not waste their time, energy and resources pursuing a deal ahead of the March 15th trade deadline, regardless of whether or not they manage to haul in J.R. Smith upon his return from China.

According to Tommy Dee of The Knicks Blog, New York remains the favorite to land the services of the one-time Denver Nuggets guard, in part because they can offer him more money than most. Smith has flirted with a host of other teams around the league as well, including the Los Angeles Lakers, the Clippers, the Atlanta Hawks and the Orlando Magic, among others.

Surely, the Knicks wouldn't mind adding a scorer and shooter of Smith's stature to their bench. Heck, what team in need of some points from the pine wouldn't want J.R. Smith? The guy's been a double-digit scorer as a reserve during the duration of his seven-year NBA career and averaged 34.5 points in just under 37 minutes per game during his stint in China.

In other words, Smith can put up points in his sleep and may very well do the same in the Big Apple, where he'll be back alongside 'Melo, his former teammate in the Mile High City. He could slot in as the de facto top option on D'Antoni's second squad or supplant Landry Fields as the Knicks' starting two-guard.

But if Smith signs elsewhere, or if he turns out to be a bust in the Big Apple, Knicks interim GM Glen Grunwald need not exhaust himself in search of another guard for his team's roster. Iman Shumpert has proven himself to be an excellent option on the wing when he a) doesn't have to play the point and b) is allowed to serve as a defensive specialist who can contribute as a cutter and a slasher.

And from a scorer's perspective, the Knicks already have three guys ('Melo, STAT and Linsanity) who are capable of dominating a game (and the ball) in the same starting five.

In the meantime, though, any discussion of trading for a shooting guard remains a long way off for the Knicks. For now, they need only enjoy the Linsanity, anticipate 'Melo's return to health and keep their fingers crossed that money will, indeed, be enough to buy whatever happiness J.R. Smith can afford.

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