Veteran forward Jason Smith has signed a one-year, $3.3 million deal with the New York Knicks, according to a tweet from Smith's agency on Twitter.
Knicks sign Jason Smith to 1-year, $3.3 million deal per report
The former Pelicans big man will head to New York.
Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sport
Jason Smith's deal with the Knicks is $3.3 million for one year, I'm told. @PrioritySports announced the signing.
— Sam Amick (@sam_amick) July 16, 2014
Smith, 28, played the last four seasons in New Orleans and was a useful member of their team until he injured his knee in January. Smith had to miss the remainder of the season after starting 27 games for the Pelicans when doctors found a loose piece of cartilage in his knee.
At 7', Smith has the ability to shoot the midrange jumper, rebound and defend off the bench. His versatility should help ease the loss of veteran center Tyson Chandler after the Knicks traded him to Dallas in June. Defense down low was a problem all last season for New York, and Smith will join current Knicks forwards Amare Stoudemire, Cole Aldrich, Samuel Dalembert, Jeremy Tyler and Andrei Bargnani down low.
Adding Smith at such a bargain rate appears to be a good move for president Phil Jackson, grabbing him on a one-year deal that both makes financial sense for New York and protects them should his injuries flare up again.
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