NBA Free Agency

The New York Knicks will never learn

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New York Knicks

Despite a right Achilles injury, the New York Knicks will continue to pursue Kevin Durant.  SNYs Ian Begley reported this morning that some within the Knicks organization do agree.

This is replaying a few scenarios that the Knicks have done in the past.  Trying to sign players, to big money, after an injury.  The Knicks signed Amar’e Stoudemire who had knee issues throughout his career and damage to his retina.  Antonio McDyess missed two straight seasons with knee issues as well.

A Achilles injury is a little different from knee issues, but they both require long rehab and can be nagging injuries for the rest of the players career.

The Knicks taking a chance on Durant is risky.  Are they getting the best player in the world?  Yes.  Can he come back to 100% health?  In this day and age with new medical rehab and technology?  Yes.

The only concern is Durant sitting out an entire season doing rehab.  What if Durant does not return to the best player in the NBA, like he was before the injury.  The Knicks would have wasted a max contract on an injured player, like they have done in the past.

However, if the injury report comes back and it is not as bad as some are making it out to be, then have at it.  For the Knicks, we have nothing to lose, except money.  I trust Scott Perry and his decision making.

If Durant does sign with the Knicks, rehabs a full year and returns to himself, then it will all be worth missing one season.  But right now, we do not know.  It would be the biggest gamble Perry takes for the Knicks.

The decision of signing an injured Durant to a max contract can make or break Perry with the Knicks.

New York Knicks should now stand pat in Free Agency

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The New York Knicks may have just lost out on the biggest free agent prize.  Kevin Durant going down with a right Achilles injury has changed everything.

The Knicks will have some bigger decisions to make when free agency opens July 1st.  The team could still sign Durant, depending on what he does and how his injury goes.  However, it may not be the smartest move.

Then, add on all the rumors circulating about Kyrie Irving wanting to sign with Brooklyn over New York, the Knicks may want to stand pat in free agency.

Just because the Knicks have money does not need they need to spend it, especially on second tier free agents.  No need to throw crazy money at Khris Middleton or Tobias Harris.

The Knicks might want to stick it out with the young guys and let them grow.  Dennis Smith Jr., Mitchell Robinson, Kevin Knox and Allonzo Trier are the young guns.  Hoepefully, RJ Barrett is the other young guy who will be added to that group.

It will be another year of rebuilding, but it is taking the Golden State Warriors path and building through the draft.  Bravo Scott Perry.  The Knicks could also take on some bad expiring contracts and get draft picks for them.

The Knicks should not need to feel more pressure to sign a player that will ask for max money.  They need to have the correct players in place for the future.

It would not be the end of the world if the Knicks do not sign anyone this summer.  Fans should feel content with playing all their young guys and continuing to build through the draft.  Knicks fans were calling for a youth movement and they can certainly get that now.

New York Knicks: Anthony Davis/RJ Barrett Scenario

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Could the New York Knicks pursue Anthony Davis next offseason?

The New York Knicks have many different routes to choice this summer to improve their franchise.  The Knicks can lean more into free agency or go all-in on Anthony Davis.  It all depends on their vision.

A few routes the Knicks can take are drafting RJ Barrett with the 3rd pick in this year’s draft.  Or, they can elect to trade that 3rd pick in a package for Davis.

It really all depends on how the draft goes and what the Pelicans want.

Everyone knows that the Pelicans will be selecting Zion Williamson with he first pick.  The Grizzlies could shake things up if they select Barrett over Ja Morant.

The Grizzlies have been linked to Morant since the beginning.  However, reports have surfaced of them, allegedly, having second thoughts over Morant’s minor knee surgery.

As long as the Grizzlies select Morant, then the Knicks will take Barrett.

The Davis trade will still be on the table at that point.  Barrett/3rd pick is the key for the Knicks trading for Davis.

When I was a guest on a Pelicans podcast, Pelican sources told the host that New Orleans would like to get the Davis trade done before the draft.  The Pelicans may want to reunite Williamson and Barrett and have the luxury to make that happen, if the trade happens before June 20th.

If the Pelicans decide to wait and see how the draft plays out, then Barrett becomes the key piece for the trade.  If the Knicks, do not select Barrett then their chances on trading for Davis could go out the window.

Scott Perry will have to decide what player or players will be the right ones going forward for this franchise that has a optimistic upside.

New York Knicks: Hypothetical & Rumor Central

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New York Knicks

The New York Knicks rumors and scenarios for this off-season are in full-force.  The Knicks will have plenty of big decisions to make this summer.  Over the course of this summer, the landscape of the Knicks may look very different.

Rumors

In recent days, the NBA rumors have been buzzin’.  It begins with the Pelicans starting to listen to offers for superstar Anthony Davis.  Davis listed a group of teams that we would sing with long-term.  The teams were the Lakers, Knicks, Bucks and Clippers, via Shams Charania.

Another one from Charania, the Knicks expressed interest in Celtic’s Marcus Morris.  He would be the perfect Knick.  Morris is a bruiser and would jump into the enforcer role for the Knicks.

On the Kyrie Irving front, apparently, Irving has expressed that the Brooklyn Nets are his top choice in free agency, via Stephen A. Smith.  When it comes to Irving, no one knows what to believe.

Reports of where free agents want to go will change daily.

As for Kemba Walker, apparently, Walker and the Hornets are both each other’s top priority this off-season.

Hypothetical

If the Knicks were to miss out on Irving and Walker, they should take a hard look at free agent point guard D’Angelo Russell.

Russell really excelled this season, turning himself into, almost, an elite point guard.  He is young, 23, and just entering his prime.  Coming off the best season of his career, 21.1 ppg & 7 ast, Russell could be poised for a big pay day.

Russell knows the media and how to handle New York.  It would be worthy making a push considering his youth and ability thus far.

As for now, rumors are simply rumors.  A little over 3 weeks July 1st and rumors are just starting to heat up.