Free agent center Jason Smith has signed a one-year contract with the New York Knicks worth the taxpayer midlevel exception of $3.3 million, league sources told RealGM.

Smith averaged 9.7 points and 5.8 rebounds last season for the New Orleans Pelicans, and the 7-footer gives the Knicks an active, rugged big man to fortify a frontcourt that lost Tyson Chandler.

Smith, a six-year NBA veteran, had received interest from several teams in free agency.

Smith has career averages of six points and nearly four rebounds per game. He spent his first two seasons with the Philadelphia 76ers.