A number of NBA athletes control their own future. Which player options should the New York Knicks keep an eye on?
Very few clauses are as empowering in the world of professional sports as the NBA’s player option. No matter how badly a team would like to either shed a player’s contract or keep them on the roster, and regardless of how much the contract is worth, said clause puts the future in the hands of the player, and no one else.
For a select few players, 2016 will provide the opportunity to either make money that wouldn’t otherwise be available to them in free agency, or opt out and test their market value.
For the New York Knicks, it’ll be important to know what said players intend to do. Assuming they opt out, the Knicks could potentially make an opportunistic signing that would positively benefit the organization.
Should said players opt in, New York would have to scratch those names off of its board of free agents.
In some instances, the players listed will be deserving of a lucrative long-term contract. Others could be temporary fixes or stopgap signings who may not lead the team to championship glory, but would be ideal short-term complements to Carmelo Anthony, Robin Lopez, and Kristaps Porzingis.
If Phil Jackson has the opportunity to sign one of these players, he should take time to, at least, consider his options.
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