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Louisville basketball: 3 NBA teams who should sign Russ Smith

By Jacob Lane

BEIJING, CHINA - NOVEMBER 14: Russ Smith ££2 of Fujian SBS in action during the 2017/2018 CBA League match between Beijing Beikong Fly Dragons and Fujian SBS at Beijing Olympic Sports Center on November 14, 2017 in Beijing, China. (Photo by XIN LI/Getty Images)
BEIJING, CHINA - NOVEMBER 14: Russ Smith ££2 of Fujian SBS in action during the 2017/2018 CBA League match between Beijing Beikong Fly Dragons and Fujian SBS at Beijing Olympic Sports Center on November 14, 2017 in Beijing, China. (Photo by XIN LI/Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JANUARY 24: Reggie Bullock #25 of the New York Knicks celebrates his shot in the first half against the Toronto Raptors at Madison Square Garden on January 24, 2020 in New York City.NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JANUARY 24: Reggie Bullock #25 of the New York Knicks celebrates his shot in the first half against the Toronto Raptors at Madison Square Garden on January 24, 2020 in New York City.NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

New York Knicks

“Bring Russ to the Garden”

Okay, so there’s probably a better official name to the campaign that I would like to start – but you clearly get my point. The Knicks should sign Russ Smith.

Kadeem Allen. Ron Baker. Trey Burke. Billy Garrett. John Jenkins. Luke Kornett. Henry Ellenson. Those are just a very small handful of the “random” names that have found their way onto the Knicks roster over the last three seasons. With New York’s team being a preeneial loser, they’ve always been in a spot to sign a variety of G-League and international players in attempt to find a ‘diamond in the rough.’

So here’s my question? WHY NOT RUSS?

He’s a New York native who you know grew up with aspirations of one day getting the honor to play at the Garden (something he did often in college and did quite well) in front of a sold out audience that would bring a sense of pride every night to the floor because of that.

They desperately need a combination of scoring and playmaking in the backcourt and as we saw during his time in the G League (averaged 28 points and eight assists over 22 games) and in China (60 points per game) he’s more than capable of doing both.

He’s also a galvanizer, a player capable of turning games upside down with his ability to get hot and score at a high level as well as with his infectious energy. He has the skillset to bring that for 10-15 minutes per night for a team that is young and growing and also in desperate need of a shot in the arm.

Russ only got 27 career games to prove himself in between two seasons with the New Orleans Pelicans and the Memphis Grizzlies, yet he’s done far more than the majority of guys who’ve been rostered by the Knicks.

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