Which free agent point guards would best fit New York Knicks head coach Jeff Hornacek?
For months on end, the accepted theory was that Phil Jackson would promote interim head coach Kurt Rambis to the full-time position. Thus, it stunned the masses when Howard Beck of Bleacher Report revealed that Jeff Hornacek would be named the next head coach of the New York Knicks.
With Hornacek now officially holding the position, he pulled no punches in evaluating the roster and acknowledging the need for an upgrade at point guard. Per Adam Zagoria of SNY.tv:
"“Jose and Jerian are kind of on opposite ends of the spectrum,” he said. “But we’ll work with either one of them. If there’s something out there in free agency or whatever, these guys [Phil Jackson and Steve Mills] can bring in that guy that can help a younger point guard or lend some assistance to the older point guard, that would be making our team better. “If they’re here, we work with them. Knowing some of the point guards we had in Phoenix we’ve had some good success to get them to the next level. So it’s exciting to work with all of them.”"
The question is, who will be getting Carmelo Anthony the ball in 2016-17?
With Hornacek on his way to New York, it’s fair to revisit the free agency rankings that were previously drawn up. Those rankings took the Triangle Offense into account, rather than the balanced system Hornacek is likely to run.
No position is more heavily influenced by this change in philosophy than point guard.
Hornacek is regarded by many as something of a point guard guru, which was founded in his masterful use of Eric Bledsoe, Goran Dragic, and Isaiah Thomas. That isn’t the extent of his brilliance, but it does beckon a critical question.
Which free agent point guards would best fit Hornacek and Phil Jackson’s collective vision for the Knicks?
Next: Honorable Mention
Honorable Mention: D.J. Augustin, UFA
Age: 28 (11/10/1987)
Slash Line: .423/.405/.805
Season Averages: 19.0 MPG, 7.5 PPG, 3.2 APG, 1.5 RPG, 1.1 3PM
When D.J. Augustin is given an opportunity to play, he steps up and thrives as a pick-and-roll playmaker and efficient shooter. He’s been buried at the back end of the Oklahoma City Thunder’s rotation, however, which has masked much of that value.
Fortunately for Augustin, he redeemed himself upon being traded to the Denver Nuggets at the 2016 NBA Trade Deadline.
In 28 appearances with the Nuggets, Augustin averaged 11.6 points, 4.7 assists, and 1.6 3-point field goals made in 23.5 minutes on 41.1 percent shooting from beyond the arc. That’s not far from what he was averaging with the Detroit Pistons in 2014-15.
It’s also worth noting that, in 2013-14, Augustin averaged 14.9 points, 5.0 assists, and 2.2 3-point field goals on 41.1 percent shooting from distance for the Chicago Bulls.
Thus, this pick-and-roll specialist would be quite the savvy addition on a two-year deal. He can be had at a very friendly cost, would thrive as a penetrating playmaker in Jeff Hornacek’s offense, and could play both starter’s minutes and the role of a reserve.
Augustin could be a cost-friendly and effective pickup who’d help round out the second unit.
Next: 3-and-D
5. Matthew Dellavedova, RFA
Age: 25 (9/8/1990)
Slash Line: .405/.410/.864
Season Averages: 24.6 MPG, 7.5 PPG, 4.4 APG, 2.1 RPG, 1.3 3PM
Overall, there aren’t many point guards who would better fit the New York Knicks than Matthew Dellavedova. The Australian agitator is a competitive defender, an efficient shooter, and a willing passer who relentlessly competes.
He may be ranked at No. 5, but if the Knicks sign Dellavedova for an affordable cost, the team will be better because of it.
Dellavedova has excellent size for a point guard at 6’4″, which plays a significant role in his defensive effectiveness. He doesn’t rack up steals, but he’s an annoyance as an on-ball defender who gets physical and isn’t afraid to get his hands dirty.
Phil Jackson reportedly covets big guards, and Dellavedova certainly fits the bill.
One can fairly question whether or not Dellavedova can consistently create penetration in the NBA. He’s a very efficient shooter, however, which is a skill that’s of value in a system that preaches ball movement and finding the open man.
With an assist-to-turnover ratio of 2.93, and back-to-back seasons above 40 percent shooting from beyond the arc, Dellavedova can be extremely effective for the Knicks.
Next: The Return
4. Jeremy Lin, UFA
Age: 27 (8/23/1988)
Slash Line: .412/.336/.815
Season Averages: 26.3 MPG, 11.7 PPG, 3.2 RPG, 3.0 APG, 0.7 SPG, 1.0 3PM
There aren’t many players who fit Jeff Hornacek’s offense better on paper than Jeremy Lin. There’s no guaranteeing that he’d be open to playing for the New York Knicks, but that possibility should be explored.
Hornacek is a master at using pick-and-roll point guards, and that’s exactly what Lin is.
The obvious hurdle with re-signing Lin is the turbulent ride that was the end of his previous Knicks tenure. Lin’s respective relationships with franchise player Carmelo Anthony and owner James Dolan are both considered uneasy, but bonds could potentially be mended.
If that were to transpire, it stands to reason that Lin would thrive under Hornacek’s guidance.
Lin is an outstanding pick-and-roll player who excels at reading and reacting to what the defense gives him when coming off of screens. That was the foundation for his success during Linsanity, and it’s one of the central aspects of Hornacek’s offense.
If Lin can be had for an affordable cost, it’d certainly be worth reaching out to him.
Next: The Upside Signing
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
2. Mike Conley, UFA
Age: 28 (10/11/1987)
Slash Line: .422/.464/.834
Season Averages: 31.4 MPG, 15.3 PPG, 6.1 APG, 2.9 RPG, 1.2 SPG, 1.4 3PM
Nine-year Memphis Grizzlies veteran Mike Conley is widely regarded as one of the best point guards in the NBA. He’s not necessarily elite, but is a two-way player who’s average or above-average in virtually all areas.
As a playmaker who’s relatively similar to Goran Dragic, it stands to reason that Jeff Hornacek could maximize Conley’s potential.
Offensively, Conley is a reliable shooter who can consistently knock down shots from beyond the arc. He’s also one of the most reliable facilitators in the NBA, despite what his average of 6.1 assists per game may imply.
Conley finished the 2015-16 season with the best assist-to-turnover ratio in the NBA at 4.07.
Conley isn’t an elite on-ball defender, nor is he an explosive offensive force who’ll provide 20-to-25 points a night. He’s a big-game performer, however, who plays up to the level of his competition and has a very strong postseason resume.
Perhaps Conley’s best comparison amongst point guards Carmelo Anthony has played with: Chauncey Billups.
All Anthony and Billups did was win back-to-back division titles and reach the 2009 Western Conference Finals—a stage of the postseason Conley reached in 2013.
Next: The Facilitator
1. Rajon Rondo, UFA
Age: 30 (2/22/1986)
Slash Line: .454/.365/.580
Season Averages: 35.2 MPG, 11.9 PPG, 11.7 APG, 6.0 RPG, 2.0 SPG, 0.9 3PM
Had the New York Knicks intended to run the Triangle Offense as the foundation for the offense, Rajon Rondo may not have been an ideal fit. He’s not a great shooter, although his basketball IQ is widely regarded as one of the greatest in the NBA today.
A brilliant facilitator and nightly triple-double threat, Rondo could thrive as coach Jeff Hornacek’s primary playmaker.
Rondo finished 2015-16 with a league-leading 11.7 assists per game. He also pulled down 6.0 rebounds per game, and picked up 2.0 steals per contest, thus making him the ultimate transition playmaker—a player who can grab the rebound and immediately set the offense in motion.
According to NBA.com, Rondo averaged 21.5 potential assists and 27.5 points created via assists per game—both of which were the No. 1 marks in the NBA.
Rondo proved that he knows how to facilitate sharpshooting big men with Kevin Garnett —a midrange specialist—and DeMarcus Cousins —a 3-point shooter. Thus, it stands to reason that Rondo would mesh with Kristaps Porzingis.
The fact that Rondo is friends with Carmelo Anthony, and both Jeff Hornacek and Phil Jackson have the thick skin necessary to manage egos, makes the three-time assists leader worth the risk.
More knicks: What are the pros and cons of potentially hiring Jeff Hornacek?
Anthony has never been better than when he’s played with pass-first point guards, and Rondo is the perfect player to help him back to the playoffs and the upper echelon of stardom.