Knicks will keep Trier
The Knicks have exercised Allonzo Trier’s team option for the 2019-20 season, according to the Athletic. The former undrafted free-agent will earn $3.5 million next year. New York will own Trier’s Early Bird rights making him a restricted free-agent after next season.
Trier came as a pleasant surprise to the Knicks last year. The 23-year-old originally signed a two-way contract with New York last July, however, his performance led to the Knicks ripping up that contract, and offering him a brand new two-year deal.
Trier averaged 10.9 points 3.1 rebounds, and 1.9 assists as a rookie in 64 games played. The guard provided offense early and often for the Knicks. He was one of their most prolific shooters as he shot 39.4% from three-point range.
Picking up Trier’s option comes with a lot of questions, as his $3.5 million in salary pushes the Knicks under the number required to sign twomax contracts. New York now has $69,823,772 in cap space. They are approximately $129,071 short of being able to sign Kevin Durant to the max plus another max contract.
However, should the opportunity to sign two-marquee free-agents arise, the Knicks can trade Trier before July 1. Picking up Trier’s option made him tradable. Per the CBA, the Knicks can’t trade a player with an unexercised option in their contract from now until the start of free-agency.
Trier isn’t the only contract decision the Knicks have to make. In the near future, Scott Perry and Steve Mills will have to decide if guard Damyean Dotson and veteran Lance Thomas are worth keeping on their roster.