5. Affordable Cost
One of the most important aspects of this signing is the affordability of it. That isn’t to say that Pau Gasol doesn’t deserve to receive a hefty contract, but instead an acknowledgement of the New York Knicks’ current predicament.
New York has a glaring void at shooting guard and a dire need for an improved second unit, and that makes signing Gasol a rational priority.
Gasol signed a three-year contract worth $22,346,280 with the Chicago Bulls in 2014. His 2015-16 salary was $7,448,760, and his player option for 2016-17 would’ve been worth $7,769,520.
$7,669,520 under 2015-16’s $70 million salary cap would translate to $10,433,355 under 2016-17’s $94 million salary cap.
If New York can sign Gasol for something in the range of $10.5 million, it’d still have upwards of $20 million to work with in free agency. By comparison, the other top centers on the open market will likely go for upwards of $20 million per season individually.
If New York can land Gasol, it’d still have the money to sign a high-caliber shooting guard, land a backup point guard, and re-sign some of its top assets.
Next: Underrated Strength