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New York Knicks: Free Agent PGs Who Would Fit Jeff Hornacek

By Maxwell Ogden

Mar 27, 2016; Sacramento, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings guard Rajon Rondo (9) dribbles against the Dallas Mavericks in the third quarter at Sleep Train Arena. The Kings won 133-111. Mandatory Credit: John Hefti-USA TODAY.
Mar 27, 2016; Sacramento, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings guard Rajon Rondo (9) dribbles against the Dallas Mavericks in the third quarter at Sleep Train Arena. The Kings won 133-111. Mandatory Credit: John Hefti-USA TODAY. /
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Mar 1, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Jordan Clarkson (6) handles the ball as Brooklyn Nets guard Donald Sloan (right) defends during the first quarter at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 1, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Jordan Clarkson (6) handles the ball as Brooklyn Nets guard Donald Sloan (right) defends during the first quarter at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Jordan Clarkson, RFA

Age: 23 (6/7/1992)
Slash Line: .433/.347/.804
Season Averages: 32.3 MPG, 15.5 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 2.4 APG, 1.1 SPG, 1.4 3PM

Los Angeles Lakers scoring guard Jordan Clarkson is one of the most intriguing free agents in this draft class. That ranges beyond his explosive athleticism, intriguing finishing ability, and strong shooting tough, and expands into his unique contract situation.

Due to the fact that the Arenas Rule applies to Clarkson’s current situation, the Knicks can severely backload a contract if overpaying is a necessary evil.

If the Knicks were to offer Clarkson a max contract, he’d receive roughly $58 million over four seasons. Per Eric Pincus of The Los Angeles Times, the structure of that contract would be $5.6 million in 2016-17, $5.9 million in 2017-18, $22.7 million in 2018-19, and $23.6 million in 2019-20.

In other words, there would be a minimal cap hit in 2016, the same in 2017—arguably, the final two years of Carmelo Anthony’s prime—and then the cost would skyrocket.

If Clarkson can be had for slightly less than the max, he’d be worth investing in. He’s a positionally versatile playmaker who can erupt in transition, work off of screens, kick it out to shooters, and convert off the catch.

Clarkson is still a work in progress, but as a soon-to-be 24-year-old playmaker with a strong track record as a reliable scoring threat who can create for others, he’s high on this list.

Next: The Complete Package

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