New York Knicks: Free Agency Tracker
Mindaugas Kuzminskas: Signed
Position: Forward
Age: 26 (10/19/1989)
Slash Line (Liga ACB): .485/.311/.873
Season Averages (Liga ACB): 19.9 MPG, 10.4 PPG, 3.0 RPG, 1.3 ORPG, 1.1 APG, 0.9 3PM
Phil Jackson and New York Knicks have routinely dipped into the international basketball pool. Kristaps Porzingis was selected at No. 4 overall in the 2015 NBA Draft, Jose Calderon and Sasha Vujacic were on the 2015-16 roster, and Willy Hernangomez will be brought over in 2016-17.
Joining Hernangomez and Porzingis will another Liga ACB standout: Mindaugas Kuzminskas, per Lithuanian sports writer Donatas Urbonas.
Mindaugas Kuzminskas signed 2 year deal with New York Knicks, baby! https://t.co/gO90CqpNcd
— Donatas Urbonas (@Urbodo) July 5, 2016
According to Sportando, the Knicks have agreed to pay a hefty buyout price in order to pry Kuzminskas loose from the club he originally planned to play for in 2015-16.
Mindaugas Kuzminskas had already an agreement with Dogus.
— Sportando (@Sportando) July 5, 2016
Knicks have to pay a “high buyout” to the Turkish team to free him, per source
International basketball guru David Pick reports that the two-year deal will be worth $6 million.
Knicks offered Mindaugas Kuzminskas a two-year $6 million deal, source said. He should be en route to US.
— David Pick (@IAmDPick) July 5, 2016
Though Kuzminskas isn’t the most prominent name in NBA circles, he’s widely regarded as a player with significant potential in the Association.
Kuzminskas is a hybrid forward who plays the 3, but has the size and length to be a stretch 4 at 6’10” with a 6’11” wingspan. He’s a fluid athlete who runs well in transition, finishes above the rim, and excels in attacking closeouts.
All things considered, Kuzminskas is an ideal fit for Jeff Hornacek’s up-tempo motion offense.
Kuzminskas’ NBA potential has been compared to former Knicks forward Danilo Gallinari. Like Gallinari, he can shoot over most opponents, play both forward positions, and score in the half court.
Thus, it’s no surprise that the Knicks weren’t the only team interested in acquiring Kuzminskas’ services.
Told Hawks and Lakers were the two clubs that nearly beat #Knicks out for Kuzminskas. Will get part of room exception.
— Marc Berman (@NYPost_Berman) July 5, 2016
In other words, the Knicks just landed a coveted international player with a skill set that multiple organizations were interested in developing.
Next: Langston Galloway