While Knicks will have a major task filling up roster spots this summer. Here are a few inexpensive free agents the Knicks may target this summer.
While owning no draft picks for the upcoming draft, the only improvements the New York Knicks can make will be through free agency. Only seven players are under contract for the 2016-2017 season. Four of the players are the 2016 starters (Robin Lopez, Carmelo Anthony, Jose Calderon, and Kristaps Porzingis), while the rest are Jerian Grant, Klye O’Quinn, and Tony Wroten.
The team is going to need to add eight other players for the 15 player roster limit. While Phil Jackson can offer a max contract to an elite player (Hassan Whiteside, Andre Drummond, Rajon Rondo, Kevin Durant, etc.), he can sign many less featured players similar to what he did last summer. A few inexpensive free agents the Knicks can target this Summer include: Tyler Zeller, Marcus Thornton, Steve Novak, Andre Miller, and Chris Kaman.
One aspect all of these players have in common is the uncertainty whether or not they will receive an NBA contract. Zeller has fallen out of the rotation for the Boston Celtics due to the clog of big men on the team. He will be looking for another chance to prove his deserving of an NBA contract. In the 2014-2015 season, according to Basketball Reference, Zeller was averaging. 10.2 points to go with 5.7 rebounds, and about half a block per game in 21 minutes per game.
For a low price, he may be able to put up similar numbers coming off the bench. Even though Zeller is a restricted free agent, I don’t think resigning Zeller will be a priority for the Celtics.
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Marcus Thornton would be an inexpensive option to replace Aaron Afflalo (if he decides to opt out of his contract) and would be a great addition to the team off the bench. Thornton is a great player who struggles to find a permanent home (Played for seven teams through the course of six seasons). According to Basketball Reference, Thornton averaged 10.0 points on nearly 34% shooting from long range while playing for the Houston Rockets. He can be an offensive spark plug once he hits the floor. Thornton played for the veteran’s minimum this past season and will hope to prove his worth for a big pay day.
Steve Novak was a fan favorite while playing for the Knicks in 2012 and 2013. He was was a sharpshooter from the three and was a part of the success of the team’s 54-28 record in 2013. He led the league in 3pt shooting percentage in 2012.
Novak was traded to the Toronto Raptors in the summer of 2013 and things were never the same for him. He fell out of the rotation for the Raptors and was traded to the Utah Jazz and then to the Oklahoma City Thunder. Additionally, Novak was traded to the Denver Nuggets this past season (only to be waived by the team), and suffered a season ending injury in his MCL in the same season.
Novak may choose to return to the Knicks playing for the veteran’s minimum. This past season, the Knicks was ranked 20th in 3 point field goal percentage. In a league where the three ball is essential in a team’s success, a Novak signing would resolve the team’s 3 point woes.
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Chris Kaman is a former All-Star who has fallen out of the rotation for the Portland Trailblazers this season. When Robin Lopez went down with a hand injury last season, he did fairly well playing center during his absence (averaged 8.8 points, 8.6 rebounds, and a block in 13 games as a starter). Overall (as a starter and coming off of the bench), Kaman averaged 8.6 points, 6.5 rebounds,and 0.7 blocks in 19 minutes (only averages 7 minutes per game this season).
He will be a free agent looking to prove can still deserves an NBA contract and deserves a roster spot on a team. Lopez could recruit Kaman to join the team being former teammates last season. Kaman may be willing to play for the veteran’s minimum next season.
At the age of 40, Andre Miller does not see much time on the court. Even though he does not hit the court, he is a leader in any locker room he is in. Every team needs a veteran presence within their team. With a young point guard in Jerian Grant, it is essential to have a veteran point guard like Miller to be a mentor to Grant. We all viewed the vast amount of potential Grant possess. With the right guidance, Grant’s development as an NBA point guard may transform him into an elite point guard in a couple of years.
Next: Top 5 Free Agent Point Guards for the Knicks to Consider
There are other inexpensive options the Knicks can choose. I find these players being an asset to the team and may potentially be able to improve the team to some degree.