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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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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, Unrestricted Free Agent

Position: Power Forward
Age: 35 (8/29/1980)
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

Few scenarios would be more ideal for the New York Knicks than signing free agent big man David West. He’s not the most athletic players in the NBA, but he’s a proven postseason performer who commands the respect of the masses.

If old school Knicks fans are longing for the days of physical big men who take no nonsense, West is their guy.

West is an all-time midrange scorer with the ability to light a team up from anywhere within 24 feet. He made 106 midrange jump shots on 48.6 percent shooting in 2015-16, 187 at 46.6 percent in 2014-15, and 198 at 46.9 percent in 2013-14.

Midrange jump shots don’t win championships, but teams that can convert from 16-to-24 feet tend to fare better than those that can’t.

Pushing the pace will be an important element of the Knicks’ offense, but scoring out of the half court is the key to winning in the playoffs. The game slows down in the postseason, and teams that can’t adjust fall victim to early exits.

Far more important than what West provides on the court, however, is the mental toughness and leadership he’d establish in the locker room.

must read: Carmelo Anthony is actively recruiting Kevin Durant

New York needs to add athleticism and skill in order to compete in the modern NBA. Once it does so, solidifying the locker room should be the top priority.

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