The New York Knicks are going to waive Chris Smith, and older brother J.R. is not happy about the move.
The Knicks plan to waive Smith, 26, to make room for big man Jeremy Tyler, who has been playing in the Knicks’ D-League affiliate. Chris Smith’s presence with the Knicks — he was signed for a guaranteed $490,814 — has been a source of controversy.
It’s believed that Chris Smith’s signing was part of a condition for JR re-signing with the Knicks during the offseason. Some have called him the worst D-League player in history. Even Detroit Pistons guard Brandon Jennings expressed his disbelief that Smith had a job in the NBA while many other qualified players didn’t, leading to a Twitter beef between him and JR. Chris spent most of the season in the D-League, but he was called up on Dec. 17 and played one minute in two games. He did not record a stat.
Shortly after news of Chris’ impending release came out, JR shared this photo on Instagram, which implies the Knicks were betraying him.
That Instagram post seems to confirm that he and the Knicks had a deal to keep Chris around.
JR and Chris are obviously very close. A few days ago, he posted a photo and note on Instagram where he called Chris his right hand man and talked about how much easier it is to deal with things having him around.
“It’s so much easier to cope when yea right hand is wit u! @therealcsmith0,” he wrote.
Now, J.R., who’s having a terrible season after posting great numbers last year, will have to get by without his right hand man around.
