WAIT ’TIL NEXT
We’ll see you in 2021: The Knicks punt free agency,
On to next year. Maybe there will be a vaccine, and maybe the Knicks will actually use their cap space on longterm solutions. For the third straight offseason, New York punted free agency, serving as a spectator to the spending bonanza that gripped the NBA in the first two days. Leon Rose arrived with $35 million in cap space, with a clear need to upgrade at multiple positions. But as Gordon Hayward and Fred VanVleet and nearly every player worthy of a large contract were plucked by other teams, the Knicks stood pat and preserved their flexibility.
New regime, same strategy. Cap flexibility is MVP.
To be clear, there is sound logic to punting 2020. The free-agent class was weak after Anthony Davis, who is expected to re-sign with the Lakers after Thanksgiving. The contracts were enormous and scary, none more obscene than Charlotte’s four years, $120 million for Hayward, who would be the fourth-best player on a championship-level squad. VanVleet re-signed with the Raptors at a more reasonable four years, $85 million, but the Knicks, according to a source, never met with the point guard. Apparently New York was under the impression it couldn’t pry VanVleet away from the incumbent team, so it didn’t try.
There is a better draft and freeagent class on the horizon in 2021, headlined, perhaps, by Giannis Antetokounmpo. Maintaining flexibility also provides the Knicks with greater means to facilitate a trade for a disgruntled star, whether it’s Russell Westbrook in Houston or becomes something more appealing like Devin Booker in Phoenix or Karl-Anthony Towns in Minnesota. Blake Griffin clearly needs to bolt
Detroit. But again, these are theoretical scenarios and theoretical members of the Knicks. For James Dolan’s squad, chasing hypotheticals has only resulted in defeats, dismissals and chants of ‘Sell The Team.’
Cap space, despite what the Knicks will sell, is overrated in the NBA. If a team wants to create room for a player, it can easily shed salary and trim around the edges. Winning is a more significant recruiting tool. Just ask Steve Mills about the pitfalls of losing.
As much as New York’s strategy can be justified based on the thin talent of the 2020 class, punting free agency was a surprising move from a front office that has been hyped for its recruiting prowess. Rose brought his Rolodex from his previous career as a power agent, along with consigliere World Wide Wes and win-now coach Tom Thibodeau. Specific roster goals weren’t stated because Rose never held a press conference, which allowed MSG’s branding manager Steve Stoute to set the public agenda.
“With having Leon in, World Wide Wes and myself, the three of us, we’re the best sort of team as it relates to being able to speak with free agents,’’ Stoute said. “Our relationship with talent will bring them to New York. They haven’t had this level of talent in the last 10 years that can go out and pitch free agents and convince them why New York is great.’’
We’ll have to wait to see if that works.
As of Saturday afternoon, the Knicks used their relationships to sign Alec Burks for $6 million. They still didn’t have a point guard, or a small forward. But they carried over $30 million in cap space as the free-agent crop dwindled. They still have to use the money for something, and perhaps Rose has a trick up his sleeve beyond plugging holes with stopgaps. If not, though, it’ll be a fourth straight Knicks season chalked up to development.
Obi Toppin’s soaring dunks will be fun to watch and Thibodeau can squeeze out more victories than David Fizdale, but the Knicks again approached free agency by prioritizing
cap flexibility over talent.
PAYTON STAYS PUT
The Knicks are bringing back a familiar face. But it isn't Carmelo Anthony.
Just two days after they declined his contract option, the Knicks agreed to re-sign point guard Elfrid Payton on a reported one-year, $5 million deal. Payton was New York's starting point guard last season and was effective when he wasn't injured, averaging 10 points and 7.2 assists in 45 games.
Still, Payton, 26, continued to demonstrate fallibilities with his defense and jumper. He also failed to play more than 63 games for the fourth straight season because of injuries. On Thursday, the Knicks declined Payton's $8 million team option and sent him into free agency. Re-signing him saves the Knicks $3 million but doesn't change their lack of 3-point shooting.
The Knicks also have young point guards Frank Ntilikina, Dennis Smith Jr and rookie Immanuel Quickley. Multiple point guards went elsewhere in free agency: Fred VanVleet to Toronto, Rajon Rondo to Atlanta, DJ Augustin to the Bucks and Goran Dragic returned to the Heat.
NOEL TO KNICKS
The Knicks keep filling up the roster with Kentucky players.
Nerlens Noel became the latest product of John Calipari's program to join New York, agreeing Saturday night to a one-year, $5 million deal.
Noel, a 26-year-old center, hasn't lived up to his hype as a sixth overall pick in 2013, but recently settled into a role as an efficient finisher around the rim and a solid defensive backup center. He averaged 7.4 points and 1.5 blocks in 18.5 minutes last season with the Thunder.
With the Knicks, Noel will likely serve as a backup to center Mitchell Robinson, the 22-year-old foundational piece. Noel and Robinson are represented by agent Rich Paul.
The Knicks now have four players from Kentucky, and all of them played there under New York assistant coach Kenny Payne (who was a Kentucky consistent until joining Tom Thibodeau's staff). Payne was considered instrumental in Noel's development.