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Knicks send Chris Smith to D-League

Chris Smith averaged five points per game with the Knicks' summer league teams. (Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

Chris Smith averaged 5 ppg  with the Knicks' summer league teams. (Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

The New York Knicks have sent Chris Smith, brother of sixth man J.R. Smith, to the Erie Bayhawks of the NBA D-League, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports.

The younger Smith has been the subject of some controversy after being given a guaranteed roster spot during the offseason despite his poor play on New York's summer league team.With luxury tax implications taken into account, the move is costing the Knicks $2 million this season.

The decision is seen by many as a bonus for J.R. re-signing with the team. Although Smith has been demoted to Erie, the Knicks will not gain a roster spot, and Smith will still receive his full salary.

GOLLIVER: NBA fines J.R. Smith for 'hostile' Twitter posts about Pistons' Brandon Jennings

Pistons guard Brandon Jennings recently tweeted his opinion that Chris Smith isn't worthy of a roster spot. That started a squabble in which J.R. stepped up to back his brother. But J.R. wound up with a $25,000 fine for using "hostile" language in his posts about Jennings.

https://twitter.com/WojYahooNBA/status/402488877190893568