Knicks: Pending Free Agents to Monitor Until Season’s End

4. Joe Johnson, Miami Heat

Position: Small Forward

Age: 34

Slash Line: .431/.398/.846

Season Averages: 33.6 MPG, 12.2 PPG, 4.0 APG, 3.8 RPG, 0.7 SPG, 1.6 3PM

Since signing with the Miami Heat, Joe Johnson has proven that he still has some high-caliber basketball left in the tank. His next contract won’t be nearly as massive as his previous, which means Johnson’s strengths can be taken into account without a, “But,” attached to them—sort of.

New York needs a player who can shoot, defend, and create scoring opportunities, and Johnson fits the bill for two of the three requirements.

Adding Johnson to the mix would help the Knicks’ offense, as his skill set is tailor made for the Triangle Offense. He’s lethal from midrange, has the body to post up, is crafty in isolation, and has the range to space the floor from beyond the arc.

Johnson is also a very good passer who could help facilitate an offense that doesn’t necessarily rely upon any one player to distribute the rock.

The issue for New York is that Johnson, who turns 35 in June, isn’t the defensive asset that New York is hoping to round its starting lineup out with. Not quite as fleet of foot as he used to be, Johnson is better suited for the 3 than the 2.

If Johnson were willing to accept the role of sixth man—unlikely, I know—it would behoove New York to pounce on this incredible opportunity to vastly improve its rotation.

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