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New York Knicks: Top 5 Free Agency Options For Sixth Man

By Maxwell Ogden

Dec 28, 2015; Washington, DC, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard Jamal Crawford (11) shoots the ball as Washington Wizards forward Kelly Oubre Jr. (12) looks on in the second quarter at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 28, 2015; Washington, DC, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard Jamal Crawford (11) shoots the ball as Washington Wizards forward Kelly Oubre Jr. (12) looks on in the second quarter at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 24, 2016; Memphis, TN, USA; Memphis Grizzlies forward Lance Stephenson (1) shoots over San Antonio Spurs guard Danny Green (14) during the first half in game four of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 24, 2016; Memphis, TN, USA; Memphis Grizzlies forward Lance Stephenson (1) shoots over San Antonio Spurs guard Danny Green (14) during the first half in game four of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports /

Honorable Mention: Lance Stephenson, Team Option

Position: Shooting Guard
Age: 25
Slash Line: .481/.385/.784
Season Averages: 19.9 MPG, 8.3 PPG, 3.2 RPG, 1.9 APG

Lance Stephenson is the all-time leading scorer in the history of New York State high school basketball. His NBA career hasn’t been quite as fruitful, but during his tenure with the Memphis Grizzlies, he began to show some of what made him special with the Indiana Pacers.

If Phil Jackson believes the Triangle Offense can create the necessary structure for Stephenson to thrive, he should explore the possibility of making him the Knicks’ sixth man.

In 26 regular season games with the Grizzlies, Stephenson averaged 14.2 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 2.8 assists on a slash line of .474/.355/.815. He did so in just 26.6 minutes, which creates per 36 averages of 19.2 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 3.8 assists.

Stephenson even averaged 13.0 points on 52.3 percent shooting during the playoffs.

The reality is, Stephenson is a contract-year player whose improvements are uncertain to stick. He has a great history in New York City, and played quite well in Memphis, but there’s a legitimate possibility that New York gets the Charlotte Hornets version of Stephenson.

This would be a massive gamble, but if Jackson believes he can reach Stephenson in his Zen Master ways, it’s certainly a possibility.

Next: Sharpshooting Veteran

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