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New York Knicks: Glue Guys Who Can Be Found In Free Agency

By Maxwell Ogden

Jun 13, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Matthew Dellavedova (8) reacts to a play against Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) during the second quarter in game five of the NBA Finals at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 13, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Matthew Dellavedova (8) reacts to a play against Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) during the second quarter in game five of the NBA Finals at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 30, 2016; San Antonio, TX, USA; San Antonio Spurs power forward David West (30) shoots the ball over Oklahoma City Thunder center Enes Kanter (11) in game one of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 30, 2016; San Antonio, TX, USA; San Antonio Spurs power forward David West (30) shoots the ball over Oklahoma City Thunder center Enes Kanter (11) in game one of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports /

David West, Player Option

Position: Power Forward
Age: 35 (3/29/1980)
Slash Line: .545/.429/.788
Season Averages: 18.0 MPG, 7.1 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 0.9 ORPG, 1.8 APG, 0.7 BPG, 0.6 SPG

The New York Knicks have built an outstanding defensive interior with Kristaps Porzingis and Robin Lopez. Porzingis and Lopez are also quality offensive players, with the former displaying elite potential.

What’s missing from the interior is a grizzled veteran with a wealth of postseason experience—a role David West is perfectly suited to fill.

West has 83 games of experience in the NBA Playoffs, including two Conference Finals appearances and six postseason series victories. He played a significant role on every one of those teams, including the 2015-16 San Antonio Spurs.

If West intends to leave San Antonio—a long-shot, but he’s on a contract that’s well below his market value—the New York Knicks could be an ideal destination.

The Spurs posted a defensive rating of 95.2 with West on the floor in 2015-16, which is two points better than the mark of 97.2 without him. He’s still a rugged team defender, and has maintained his outstanding midrange game.

A glue guy can be a starter or a reserve, but the common thread is that they step up when you need them most.

must read: Under the radar sharpshooters who can help revitalize the second unit

That’s been a common theme in every one of these seven players’ respective careers.

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