Knicks Rumors: New York Signs Marshall Plumlee To Three-Year Deal
The New York Knicks have agreed to terms on a contract with undrafted free agent Marshall Plumlee. Find out the details below!
On June 24, 2016, Shams Charania of The Vertical reported that the New York Knicks agreed to an undrafted free agent deal with Marshall Plumlee. The details weren’t revealed, as most expected the Duke Blue Devils standout to merely receive a chance to prove himself at Summer League.
According to Al Iannazzone of Newsday, the Knicks have agreed to sign Plumlee to a multi-year deal with a fully guaranteed first season.
Hearing Knicks will sign center Marshall Plumlee to multi-Year deal with full guarantee for year 1. Plumlee is on their summer league team.
— Al Iannazzone (@Al_Iannazzone) July 7, 2016
Per Michael Scotto of Sheridan Hoops, it will be a three-year deal.
New York Knicks and Marshall Plumlee have agreed to a 3-year deal, per league source. The deal is fully guaranteed for Year One, I'm told.
— Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) July 7, 2016
In other words, Plumlee is going to be a member of the Knicks in 2016-17.
There are a number of realistic possibilities for Plumlee’s immediate future with the organization. He could spend 2016-17 as a backup to Joakim Noah, although the signing of 2015 NBA Draft pick Willy Hernangomez creates immediate and long-term competition.
Kyle O’Quinn will also fight for minutes at center, and is expected by many to secure the backup role for the beginning of the 2016-17 regular season.
Another option for Plumlee is that he’ll be stashed in the D-League with the Westchester Knicks. Such a move would grant Plumlee the opportunity to play a high number of minutes in a professional setting.
Though the D-League isn’t the NBA, it’d be a rational move for the Knicks if they’re hoping to get Plumlee time on the court in 2016-17.
Regardless of where he ends up, Plumlee will provide the Knicks—New York or Westchester—with an infectious energy. He’s a true 7’0″ center who’s willing to bang bodies down low and set a physical tone defensively.
According to Marc Berman of The New York Post, Plumlee is excited to, “Get his hands dirty,” for the Knicks in 2016-17.
"“I don’t mind getting my hands dirty more than they do and getting my nose in there and getting physical,’’ Plumlee said. “I feel the Knicks have given me a look for a certain reason. I need to be comfortable in my role to bring energy and physicality inside. That’s something I’m comfortable bringing to the table. If I keep working at it, I can help the Knicks in some way.’’"
That fits the identity of the centers New York has acquired for 2016-17 and beyond.
Noah is known as one of the most active and tenacious competitors in the NBA. Hernangomez doesn’t fit the stigmatic profile of a European big man, as he welcomes contact and plays with raw physicality.
Plumlee fits that same bill.
For statistical perspective on this move, Plumlee finished the 2015-16 college basketball season with averages of 8.3 points, 8.6 rebounds, 3.3 offensive boards, 1.1 assists, 1.6 blocks, and 0.8 steal per game.
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As evidenced by the Hernangomez, Noah, and Plumlee signings, the Knicks’ identity is going to be one of toughness and tenacity.