New York Knicks Free Agency Options: Wing Players

When New York traded Tim Hardaway Jr. for the rights to Jerian Grant, fellow Knicks fans were elated with the move. Even I was excited about the move – as it turned a damaged asset in Hardaway Jr. into an asset with more years of control. Whether or not Grant will be a great player, we shall see, but it was tough envision Hardaway getting much better in this system. Not to mention, I think Atlanta will be a nice place for him as their system is perfect for Hardaway and I still think he can thrive as a catch and shoot guy.

The move was praised as a Jackson sneak attack and a victory, but it also left the Knicks with an even larger hole on the perimeter. Carmelo Anthony is expected to return from injury and man one of the wing spots next season, but the shooting guard position, as well as the reserve wings off the bench, are currently vacant. Depending on how the Knicks plan to allocate their cap space this offseason, a starting shooting guard ranks nears the top the wish list.

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Where I’m intrigued is what the Knicks currently think about the wing players currently gravitating around the franchise. Cleanthony Early battled multiple injuries as a rookie, Travis Wear opened the season with a great defensive moment against LeBron James, but was eventually regulated to the bench. Thanasis Antetokounmpo spent the season in Westchester but still has question marks about his ability to shoot and and while I like Ricky Ledo as a prospect, he’s done nothing to earn a reserve role.

So we turn to free agency to fill the holes on the wing. The Knicks have the cap space to make some pretty respectable offers, but unlike the post options that litter this year’s free agency class, the wing class as a whole isn’t too strong and gets even weaker once you remove restricted free agent options like Chicago’s Jimmy Butler, Milwaukee’s Khris Middleton and San Antonio’s Kwahi Leonard.

Let’s talk about some of the perimeter options that could catch New York’s eye this offseason. Let’s start with some of the guys “tied” to the Knicks early in the free agency process.

Current rumored targets

Arron Afflalo — According to Yahoo Sports’ Adrian Wojnarowski, the Knicks are frontrunner for Afflalo’s services. To that I say: Fine. Afflalo is a tricky player. He isn’t the defensive player he was several seasons ago and his offensive game is fine, but nothing special. He’s a good player and Carmelo’s relationship with him from his Denver days should assist in landing his services. I’m not a fan of this move if he lands over nine million this season, but if he signs somewhere around $30 million over three seasons, I’ll live. The rumored $36-$38 million over three years? Ugh.

Danny Green — My number one option for the Knicks this offseason. The Knicks can come back around and land a post player or two, but if Green goes, it leaves you with DeMarre Carroll (we’ll get to him in a second) and that’s it. Green is a good defender, under 8,000 miles on the odometer, good floor spacer and playoff experience. If I was New York, I would go to his door on 12:01 and offer a four-year, $44 million contract.

Al-Farouq Aminu — This one came out of left field. I like it. Aminu can play some small forward and power forward and give the Knicks some energy off the bench. Curious to see how much he gets, but as someone who could be a decent alternative to an already restricted Jae Crowder as a wing who is still finding his game around the arc. Four million per season over three years?

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Alternative Options

DeMarre Carroll — Carroll is another free agent option that fits the Knicks to a T, thanks to his ability to provide defense and shooting from beyond the arc. Carroll is a bit larger than Green and Affalo, giving him the ability to defend larger small forwards. Under 7,000 minutes on the odometer that combats the fact he’s entering his age 29 season, two great three point shooting seasons and looking for a big pay day after getting five million over two years on his last deal.

Wesley Matthews — This makes me sad. If Matthews remained healthy, he’s number one on this list. Due to injury, he falls to four, and the argument could be made for number three. Matthews, before the injury, was one of the more appreciated players in the league – serving as a shutdown defender and a legitimate knockdown shooter. Tearing his Achilles makes him a question mark for the start of next season. Even if everyone signed off on this, I think Matthews would want a one-year contract to test his value in 2016 and cash in.

Other options

Jeff Taylor — The more I think about it, the more I think Taylor fits the Knicks. Still young and can provide defense and athleticism on the perimeter. Had a terrible 2014 on and off the court, highlighted by a domestic violence case that landed him a 22-game suspension. If Charlotte decides to let him walk, I’m not against giving him a small amount of guaranteed money and adding him into the mix.

Omri Casspi — Is it weird that I like his game? Above average shooting from beyond the arc the last two seasons, someone who always gets – and converts – at the rim and not the worst defender in the world. Probably a negative at shooting guard on the defensive end, but could serve as a nice small ball player who can make most of the shots he takes.

Alan Anderson — Always felt like he was a little bit better than people thought. Decent offensively and can hit some threes from time to time. Defensively, he’s a mixed bag, but often in the right place on the floor. The Tim Hardaway Jr. trade opened up another small spot in the back of the rotation and Anderson would be someone of interest for a role player position and a constant on the wing as guys like Early, Thanasis and Ledo continue figure out their niche in the NBA.

Glenn Robinson III — A bit shocked the Knicks didn’t claim him last season. 22 years old and still figuring it out, I wouldn’t mind if the Knicks brought him to summer league, and then send him to Westchester to figure it out under their watch. If you can’t purchase your own players, attempt to grow them. Robinson was an interesting prospect coming out of Michigan and probably needs a season of consistency before we know what he is.

The free agency wing department is a mixed bag, leaving the Knicks, if they want one of the top ones, with a tough decision to make. Ultimately, the best decision for the Knicks is to jump on one of the top wing players in the class, then come around and use the room exception to grab someone late. While I’m not the biggest fan of Afflalo, landing one of he, Green or Carroll is basically a good day at the office for the New York Even Wesley Matthews, on a short term risk, is worth a shot if you believe he can bounce back from injury.

Next: New York Knicks Free Agency Options: Post Players

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