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Knicks: Veteran Free Agents Who’d Help The Locker Room

By Maxwell Ogden

Mar 1, 2016; Miami, FL, USA; Chicago Bulls center Pau Gasol (16) shoots over Miami Heat center Hassan Whiteside (21) during the first half at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 1, 2016; Miami, FL, USA; Chicago Bulls center Pau Gasol (16) shoots over Miami Heat center Hassan Whiteside (21) during the first half at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jun 19, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Leandro Barbosa (19) shoots the ball against Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) during the second quarter in game seven of the NBA Finals at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 19, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Leandro Barbosa (19) shoots the ball against Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) during the second quarter in game seven of the NBA Finals at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /

Leandro Barbosa, Unrestricted Free Agent

Position: Shooting Guard
Age: 33 (11/28/1982)
Slash Line: .462/.355/.839
Season Averages: 15.9 MPG, 6.4 PPG, 1.7 RPG, 1.2 APG, 0.6 SPG, 0.6 3PM

Jeff Hornacek has made it abundantly clear that he plans to have the New York Knicks out in the open court. The offense will still be based in the half court, but he thoroughly understands the need to get easy points in transition.

There are few veterans better equipped for a role in such an offense than Leandro Barbosa.

The 2007 Sixth Man of the Year is no longer a threat for 18 points per game. That shouldn’t make him an afterthought, however, as he’s proven to be more than capable of providing instant offense off the bench.

In 2015-16, Barbosa averaged 14.2 points per 36 minutes on a slash line of .462/.355/.839.

Barbosa is a solid 3-point shooter who can consistently convert off the catch. He’s also a blur in transition who, even at 33 years of age, can take defenders off the bounce for a straight-line finish—a promising sign considering Hornacke’s offense would ask Barbosa to attack closeouts.

A widely respected player who has won a championship, Barbosa would be a great fit both on and off the court.

Next: Postseason Veteran

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