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New York Knicks: 5 Players Who Need to Be Re-Signed

By Maxwell Ogden

Feb 4, 2016; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; New York Knicks guard Langston Galloway (2) warms up before the game against the Detroit Pistons at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Pistons win 111-105. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 4, 2016; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; New York Knicks guard Langston Galloway (2) warms up before the game against the Detroit Pistons at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Pistons win 111-105. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 31, 2016; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks small forward Lance Thomas (42) drives against Golden State Warriors small forward Brandon Rush (4) during the third quarter at Madison Square Garden. The Warriors defeated the Knicks 116-95. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 31, 2016; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks small forward Lance Thomas (42) drives against Golden State Warriors small forward Brandon Rush (4) during the third quarter at Madison Square Garden. The Warriors defeated the Knicks 116-95. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /

Lance Thomas

Position: Forward

Age: 27

Pending Status: Unrestricted Free Agent

Slash Line: .442/.404/.857

Season Averages: 22.3 MPG, 8.2 PPG, 2.2 RPG, 0.9 APG, 0.7 3PM

Very few players on the New York Knicks can be accurately described as reliable. A knee injury forced him to miss a brief measure of time, but Thomas was routinely providing New York with great energy and effectiveness on both ends of the floor.

Thomas may not be the sixth man for the Knicks’ dream championship roster, but he can be a quality reserve who provides helpful minutes at both forward positions.

Thomas has been a bright spot for the Knicks in 2015-16, shooting 40.4 percent from beyond the arc and 85.7 percent at the free throw line. His numbers will rarely wow the box score evaluators, but his presence on the floor is helpful more times than it isn’t.

That includes his defensive versatility, which is evidenced in his limiting opponents to 41.4 percent shooting from the field.

Championship teams are rounded out by players like Thomas, who can provide the big bucket in big moments, and play selflessly for the other minutes he’s on the floor. He’s been a solid contributor throughout the current season, and he should only improve if the talent level around him does the same.

Assuming he isn’t given Jae Crowder money—adjusted to the rising salary cap, of course—Thomas should be re-signed to help bolster the second unit.

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