NBA Free Agency Rumors (Update): New York Knicks Enter Josh Smith’s Sweepstakes

Update: Unrestricted free agent Josh Smith will sign a one-year, $1.5 million deal with the Los Angeles Clippers according to multiple reports.

Josh Smith's 1-year deal with the Clippers is for the veteran's minimum of about $1.5 million. https://t.co/iehtA3K2FR

— Arash Markazi (@ArashMarkazi) July 16, 2015

Smith decided to sign with the Clippers despite having bigger offers from other teams. One such team was the Houston Rockets, who offered Smith the non-Bird exception which would have paid him roughly $2.5 millin next season.

Josh Smith statement on leaving the Rockets and signing with the Clippers. pic.twitter.com/SlVmezfLEA

— Calvin Watkins (@calvinwatkins) July 16, 2015

Unrestricted free agent Josh Smith is having a hard time securing a deal, despite the fact that several teams have expressed interest in him.

Smith has been mostly linked to the Los Angeles Clippers, Sacramento Kings, and Houston Rockets this summer.

Josh Smith and the Clippers are "still having conversations," per source. But Smith is also "talking with several teams."

— Brad Turner (@BA_Turner) July 13, 2015

Now, Ian Begley of ESPN is reporting that the New York Knicks could enter the foray into the sweepstakes for Smith. The Knicks currently have 11 players under contract, along with Langston Galloway and Ricky Ledo, who have partially guaranteed contracts.

“Galloway, barring something unforeseen, is expected to be on the Knicks’ 15-man roster on opening night,” Begley wrote. “So that leaves three open roster spots. Ledo and Travis Wear may make the opening-night roster, depending on how each does during the Knicks’ summer league and training camp. Thanasis Antetokounmpo may also earn a roster spot, depending on what he shows in summer league and training camp.”

New York has used all of its salary cap room, but still has a $2.8 million room exception. The Knicks went after guard Alexey Shved hard, but he has reportedly turned them down. They are still looking to add a shooter/wing, according to general manager Phil Jackson, but also could add another post player.

The Knicks, who have been in “touch” with guard John Jenkins, are reportedly interested in Smith as well as Kendrick Perkins, along with Justin Hamilton, Alex Kirk, and Greg Stiemsma.

Smith is still being paid by the Detroit Pistons, so he could conceivably be signed for the veteran minimum and still be making a good chunk of change, according to Sporting News. Smith is a versatile forward with a reputation as a good team defender. He is also a very good rebounder and shot-blocker. Smith’s biggest problem is shot selection, and that he is not a great shooter.

Smith averaged 12.0 points, 6.0 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.2 blocks in 55 games for the Rockets. He shot 43.8 percent from the floor and 33.0 percent from the three-point line. In comparison, Smith averaged 13.1 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 4.7 assists while shooting 39.1 percent from the field and 24.3 percent from beyond the arc in 28 games for the Pistons last season.

The rest of the article will look at the other teams interested in Smith.

Sacramento Kings: The Kings have been extremely active this offseason. Sacramento has signed Rajon Rondo, Marco Belinelli, Kosta Koufas, Omri Casspi, and Luc Mbah a Moute this offseason. The Kings, who drafted center Willie Cauley-Stein with the No. 6 overall pick, also traded guard Nick Stuaskus along with forwards Jason Thompson and Carl Landry in exchange for cap space, essentially.

Sacramento still has room for Smith, but it might not be the best fit as Cousins, Cauley-Stein, and Casspi also can play power forward.

Los Angeles Clippers: Despite re-signing DeAndre Jordan and signing Cole Aldrich, the Clippers are apparently still interested in Smith.

Hearing that the Clippers remain in pursuit of Josh Smith as well on top of their planned signings today of Cole Aldrich and Austin Rivers

— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) July 10, 2015

The reason the Clippers are interested is that they want to strengthen their bench, even though they have also re-signed Austin Rivers and added Lance Stephenson, along with Paul Pierce.

The Clippers are still looking to strengthen their bench, even though they have also re-signed Austin Rivers and added Lance Stephenson along with Paul Pierce.

Dallas Mavericks: The Mavericks were believed to be interested in Smith after losing out on Jordan. However, things have been slow to materialize. The Mavs recently obtained Zaza Pachulia in a trade, and now Bleacher Report is reporting that Dallas in interested in JaVale McGee.

Houston Rockets: The Rockets may make the most sense for Smith.

[Photo by Ronald Martinez / Getty Images]