Knicks Rumors: 5 Players JR Smith Should Replace on Roster

J.R. Smith is prepared to sign a deal with the New York Knicks, but the team will have to cut a player in order to facilitate such a move.

The Knicks still have the mini-midlevel exception available to offer Smith, who would receive a prorated portion of the $2.5 million exception.

There has been a lot of speculation about the Knicks adding Smith, but with 15 players under contract, who are the most likely candidates to go if Smith signs?

These five guys should all be on watch.

Mike Bibby

Mike Bibby has been absolutely useless for the Knicks this season, and the emergence of Jeremy Lin has rendered him an afterthought.

If and when Baron Davis ever gets healthy, there won't be many minutes for Bibby, who can't play any position other than point guard.

It might be time to wave goodbye to this offseason mistake.

Renaldo Balkman

Balkman's contract is up after the 2012-13 season, but he hasn't been able to get off the bench all year.

He has played in just a handful of games and hasn't eclipsed more than 13 minutes in any of his appearances, indicating that he's anything but an integral cog in the rotation.

Steve Novak has earned minutes as someone capable of spacing the floor, and Josh Harrellson's eventual return leaves even less playing time for Balkman.

Toney Douglas

Douglas is a dark-horse candidate to be released by the team, but his regression this season has been frightfully evident.

After beginning the season as the starting point guard, Douglas has seen his role steadily decrease and doesn't appear to be on the verge of reestablishing himself in Mike D'Antoni's good graces anytime soon.

A volume shooter who is going at just a 31.8 percent clip this year, Douglas' woeful 58-to-47 assist-to-turnover ratio is really something that sticks out.

Jerome Jordan

Jordan has played spot minutes all year for the Knicks, and it's hard to imagine him working his way into the rotation.

He's got legitimate size at 7'0", but he's been a work in progress for far too long.

The Knicks have been cryptic with their vision for Jordan since he was brought into the fold, and nothing has changed in that regard this season.

Bill Walker

Bill Walker has earned steady minutes without Carmelo Anthony (groin) in the lineup, and it's hard to imagine him getting released.

However, if the Knicks want to keep some additional depth in the backcourt and size along the frontline, Walker could be a candidate to go.

His deal is up after the season and he's making under $1 million this year, so the team wouldn't have to eat all that much money if it were to release him.