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Knicks Rumors: The Only Players Worth A Max Contract

By Maxwell Ogden

Dec 17, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35) guards Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) in the first quarter at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 17, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35) guards Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) in the first quarter at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 31, 2015; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Wizards guard Bradley Beal (3) shoots the ball over New York Knicks guard Langston Galloway (2) in the first quarter at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 31, 2015; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Wizards guard Bradley Beal (3) shoots the ball over New York Knicks guard Langston Galloway (2) in the first quarter at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /

The Red Flags: Bradley Beal, RFA

Position: Shooting Guard
Age: 22 (6/28/1993)
Slash Line: .449/.387/.767
Season Averages: 31.1 MPG, 17.4 PPG, 3.4 RPG, 2.9 APG, 1.0 SPG, 1.9 3PM

Bradley Beal is a 22-year-old shooting guard with elite potential as a scorer and 3-point shooter. He’s already proven himself in the playoffs, accumulating averages of 21.2 points, 5.2 rebounds, 4.6 assists, 1.6 steals, and 2.1 3-point field goals made in 21 games played.

Unfortunately, he’s also missed 81 regular season games due to injury during his four NBA seasons.

Beal’s max contract would start at $22 million per season. That’s far lower than the $26.4 million the Knicks would owe a seven-to-nine-year veteran shooting guard, and a far cry from the $30.8 a 10-year veteran would start at.

By that logic alone, it could be worth handing Beal a max contract worth somewhere in the neighborhood of $90 million over four years.

The harsh reality is, Beal has missed at least 19 games due to injury in three of his four NBA seasons. He’s still young and growing into his body, but that could be more than just a case of his progressive physical development; it could be a sign of things to come.

Beal would be a dream fit in Jeff Hornacek’s offense stylistically, but his injuries make him a maybe.

Next: Superstar Potential

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