Tag Archives: knicks rumors

BREAKING: Knicks Release Chris Smith, Sign Jeremy Tyler (Updated)

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The Reign of Nepotism has come to an end. I reported yesterday that the Knicks were considering waiving Chris Smith, and indeed, the organization has officially decided to set J.R. Smith’s brother free to live amongst the wolves in the forest. The Knicks are now closing in on a deal with Jeremy Tyler, who has flown to New York to hammer out a contract. It will be interesting to see whether Tyler gets minutes (he should, and you have to assume he will, but you never know with Coach Woodson’s rotations). It also remains to be seen what will become of Cole Aldrich, the young center who has ridden the bench all season. If Tyler is being brought up to sit on the bench with Aldrich, well, that makes no sense. If Tyler is being brought up to play over Aldrich, it might make sense to release Aldrich to sign a guard. Either way, the Knicks cannot afford to waste roster spots on guys who do not play. They seem to be acknowledging this by releasing Smith.

UPDATE: The Knicks have signed Tyler.

-Tommy Rothman

With Jeremy Tyler on the Way, Chris Smith’s Days Could Be Numbered

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There have been reports that big man Jeremy Tyler— who had 21 points and 15 rebounds the other night in the D-League— could be called up by the Knicks as soon as Thursday, when the Knicks take on the Spurs. ESPN’s Ian Begley is now reporting that the Knicks are giving serious consideration to cutting point guard Chris Smith (J.R.’s brother) in order to make room on the roster for Tyler. It is widely believed that Smith is on the roster for reasons other than his playing ability, so this should come as good news for Knicks fans. It is interesting that they would take a stand and finally stop wasting their final roster spot on somebody who never plays, but desperate times call for desperate— but in this case, sensible— measures. 

-Tommy Rothman

Knicks to Ditch Orange Jerseys Tonight

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The fans have spoken. While the Knicks had planned on wearing their new orange alternate jerseys for all weekend home games, the team will reportedly be wearing White tonight (the normal home uniform) against the Atlanta Hawks. The Knicks are 0-6 this season when wearing their orange jerseys, and as the losses have piled up, fans (and even players) have begun to complain. If the team truly is wearing white tonight… we might have a chance.

Tickets for tonight’s game start at $18, with 100’s-level seats starting at $45.

-Tommy Rothman

Knicks, Raptors discussing Kyle Lowry trade

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The Knicks and Raptors are discussing a trade that would send Kyle Lowry to New York. The Knicks’ latest offer is Raymond Felton, Metta World Peace, and a 2018 first round pick for the 27 year-old Lowry, who is averaging 14.6 points, 6.7 assists, and 3.8 rebounds, and 1.8 steals per game this season. 

Knicks fans have long complained about the lack of a dynamic point guard, and the grumblings have grown louder this season thanks to Felton’s injury and resulting poor level of play. Felton will miss the next 2-3 weeks with the hamstring problem which has been ailing him, but as the Raptors are trying to set themselves up to “tank”, this seemingly will not be a roadblock in negotiations. I would like to see the Knicks keep a draft pick for once, but a draft pick 5 years down the road, an injured point guard in Felton, and an aging, deteriorating Metta World Peace wouldn’t be too much to give up for Lowry, especially considering that the Knicks would gain a bit more payroll flexibility. If the Knicks can manage to bring in a point guard without losing Iman Shumpert or Tim Hardaway Jr., that doesn’t seem like a bad deal.

-Tommy Rothman

J.R. Smith in Starting Lineup vs. Hawks

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ESPN is reporting that 2013 NBA Sixth Man of the Year J.R. Smith will start for the Knicks tonight against the Atlanta Hawks.

This will be Smith’s second time starting a game for the Knicks: He started one game two seasons ago against the Bucks.

Iman Shumpert Could be On the Way Out with Knicks, Nuggets Talking Trade

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It has long been rumored that the relationship between Iman Shumpert and the Knicks Organization is tenuous. According to ESPN and the Daily News, the string might be about to break, with the Knicks and Nuggets discussing a trade centered around Shumpert and Denver’s          Kenneth Faried.

The Knicks are pretty deep on the wing and are desperate for a rebounder with an inside presence like Faried, so this deal is interesting to think about. Faried averaged 11.5 points, 9.2 rebounds, 1 block, and 1 steal in just 28 minutes per game last season in his second year out of Morehead State University. Nicknamed “The Manimal,” Faried is known for his unlimited energy on the court.

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However, Shumpert is a good young player who is improving on offense and very solid on defense, and the Knicks might be making a mistake in letting him go. Furthermore, it is rumored that Denver is also seeking draft pick compensation from the Knicks in this deal, and given our severe lack of draft picks over the next few years, the Knicks should be wary of including whatever remains of their draft pick flexibility going forward.

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We’ll see what happens, but one thing that remains clear is that James Dolan is not happy with what he’s seen from his team so far.

UPDATE: Denver, extremely reluctant to part with Faried, has rejected the idea. It appears that Shumpert won’t be headed to Denver, but it is clear that the Knicks are very, very open to trading him.

-Tommy Rothman