Knicks to sign Jeremy Tyler?

Feb 9, 2013; Dallas, TX, USA; Golden State Warriors power forward Jeremy Tyler (3) warms up before the game against Dallas Mavericks at the American Airlines Center. The Mavericks defeated the Warriors 116-91. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /

Marc Berman of the New York Post was the first to report the seemingly imminent signing of NBA D-League big man Jeremy Tyler.

Tyler, who was signed to a partially guaranteed pact in August but was released by the Knicks before the regular season started, recently recovered from a broken foot and is averaging 18 points and 10.2 rebounds per game for the Erie Bayhawks. To complicate matters, if the Knicks bring in Tyler now, his contract would be fully guaranteed. January 5th, on the other hand, is the date that NBA teams are able to start handing out 10-day contracts.

The Knicks would be forced to release a player in order to add Tyler, and one would think (hope) that it might be Chris Smith. Of course, he’s the brother of J.R. Smith, and nepotism is the reason that he has a contract in the first place, so it’s anyone’s guess. (Although Smith is currently playing in the D-League, alongside Tyler on the Bayhawks.)

Let’s not pretend that Tyler is a savior for the Knicks issues, of course. He’s no Tyson Chandler, and if the Knicks guarantee his contract to add him to the roster while Carmelo Anthony is still hobbled by an ankle injury, they’ll likely make a pretty significant mistake. But it is good to see a guy like Tyler likely get another chance at the highest level of basketball.