Chris Smith Could Make Knicks’ Roster for Being JR Smith’s Brother

According to New York Knicks head coach Mike Woodson, his respect for JR Smith’s family will factor into the decision regarding Chris Smith’s roster spot. Per Newsday: “Mike Woodson said Chris is ‘still in the mix,’ and that his relationship to J.R. factors into the decision of whether to keep him on the roster. ‘Sure it does,’ Woodson said. ‘I look at him just like I look at J.R. Although J.R. is the guy who’s played in the uniform and has been very productive for us — I have a great deal of respect for that family and that’s his brother. I respect that. But we got to make some decisions and what those decisions are going to be at this point I don’t know.’ The Knicks have 12 players with guaranteed contracts, so they could keep up to three players. All signs point to Smith being one of them despite being just 1-for 7 in the preseason in a team-low 20 minutes, including none in Wednesday night’s 105-95 loss to the Bucks at Resch Center. Woodson said he will sit down with new president Steve Mills and other Knicks officials after practice Thursday to discuss cuts. Rosters have to be set by Monday. Woodson said the roster probably would be set by Friday’s preseason finale. ‘He’s still in the mix,’ Woodson said. ‘I can’t give you any answers in terms of which way we’re going to go.'”