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Knicks Rumors: High-Profile Free Agents NY Can Realistically Sign

By Maxwell Ogden

Feb 8, 2016; Memphis, TN, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Mike Conley (11) reacts to a play during the first half against the Portland Trail Blazers at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 8, 2016; Memphis, TN, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Mike Conley (11) reacts to a play during the first half against the Portland Trail Blazers at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports /
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May 21, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan (10) dribbles the ball past Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) in game three of the Eastern conference finals of the NBA Playoffs at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
May 21, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan (10) dribbles the ball past Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) in game three of the Eastern conference finals of the NBA Playoffs at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports /

DeMar DeRozan, Player Option

Position: Shooting Guard
Age: 26 (8/7/1989)
Slash Line: .446/.338/.850
Season Averages: 35.9 MPG, 23.5 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 4.0 APG, 1.0 SPG, 0.6 3PM

Easily the most polarizing free agent on the 2016 market is Toronto Raptors shooting guard DeMar DeRozan. An explosive athlete and elite slasher, DeRozan plays an old school game in some less than appealing ways, including a heavy reliance upon his midrange jumper,

DeRozan has ruled over the Atlantic Division for the better part of the past half-decade, however, and the New York Knicks should consider him an option.

The Raptors won the Atlantic Division title in 2014, 2015, and 2016, and DeRozan was the leading scorer in every one of those seasons. In 2015-16, he shook many of his negative tendencies, and embraced what works for him.

DeRozan averaged 8.7 points via drives per game, which was the No. 1 mark in the NBA by quite a wide margin.

The concerning sign is that DeRozan shot just 41.7 percent from the field on shots other than drives. He’s an outstanding free throw shooter, however, and ranked No. 3 in free throw attempts per game.

DeRozan doesn’t have the greatest jump shot in the world, but he’s a somewhat realistic target for the Knicks.

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