New York Knicks: Free Agency Tracker

Live updates on all of the latest New York Knicks free agency news. Find out who’s coming to New York!

The 2016 period of NBA free agency has officially commenced. Both unrestricted and restricted free agents will field offers from teams around the association, eventually determining where they want to play in 2016-17.

Few teams are relying more heavily on a successful offseason than the New York Knicks.

Phil Jackson and the Knicks enter free agency with a solid foundation. Carmelo Anthony, Kristaps Porzingis, and Derrick Rose are all under contract for the 2016-17 season, thus giving New York a rare sense of optimism.

Beyond that trio, however, is a need for starters at shooting guard and center, a revamped second unit, and decisions on whether or not to re-sign key contributors.

With a wild and unpredictable month ahead of us, allow this article to be your source of stability. It will be updated with every signing and key free agency decision, thus making the effort you expend on the internet all the more manageable.

The question is, who will be joining Anthony, Porzingis, and Rose on the Knicks in 2016-17?

Next: Joakim Noah

Joakim Noah: Signed

Position: Center
Age: 31 (2/25/1985)
2015-16 Slash Line: .383/.000/.489
2015-16 Season Averages: 21.9 MPG, 4.3 PPG, 8.8 RPG, 3.0 ORPG, 3.8 APG, 1.0 BPG

Rumors that once seemed improbable—and entirely based on a desire to reunite Joakim Noah and Derrick Rose—have proven to be legitimate. The 2014 Defensive Player of the Year needed less than 24 hours to commit to a return home.

According to Ramona Shelburne of ESPN, Noah and the New York Knicks have agreed to the terms of a four-year contract worth $72 million.

Per Sam Amick of USA TODAY Sports, the fourth year of Noah’s four-year deal will be completely guaranteed.

The first domino has fallen for the Knicks in free agency.

For those who are worried about the price tag, it’s worth noting that $18 million under a $94 million salary cap is equal to roughly $13.4 million under a $70 million salary cap. Thus, Noah’s contract would count against the 2016-17 cap in virtually the same way Robin Lopez’s a season ago.

When Lopez was under contract, he was often referred to as a bargain signing.

Noah’s salary will be even less of an issue once the salary cap rises to upwards of $110 million in 2016-17.

Noah, a New York native, is a two-time All-Star with three All-Defensive Team selections and an All-NBA First Team nod. He’s battled injuries in recent seasons, but is revered for his ability to facilitate, dominate the glass, and anchor a defense.

Noah leads both verbally and by example, and plays with a passion for the game that simply cannot be taught. Whether he needs to take a charge, commit a hard foul, or shoulder the blame in order for his teammates to escape scathe-free, Noah is willing to do anything for his team.

Prior to his meeting with Phil Jackson and Steve Mills, Noah took to Instagram to display his Knicks pride.

The terms have been agreed to, but if the 2015 DeAndre Jordan saga taught us anything, it’s that no deal is done until the dotted line has been signed.

Next: The Shooting Guards

Courtney Lee: Signed

Position: Shooting Guard
Age: 30 (10/3/1985)
2015-16 Slash Line: .454/.378/.839
2015-16 Season Averages: 29.5 MPG, 9.6 PPG, 2.6 RPG, 1.7 APG, 1.1 SPG, 1.0 3PM

The New York Knicks have concluded the extensive search for a shooting guard. The likes of Nicolas Batum, Eric Gordon, Evan Turner and Dwyane Wade were all rumored targets, but it’s Courtney Lee who won the Knicks’ affection.

According to Alex Kennedy of Basketball Insiders, Lee and the Knicks have agreed to terms on a four-year deal worth $50 million.

Ian Begley of ESPN New York quickly followed that report with news that the deal would be worth roughly $48 million over four seasons.

Whether’s it’s $50 million or $48 million, the story here is that Lee is coming to New York.

Financially, a $12.5 million per year salary in 2016-17 equates to a $9.3 million in 2015-16. One could very easily make the case that the salary Lee was signed for is below his market value.

That’s a testament to both Lee’s unselfishness as a player and his desire to win at the highest level.

Lee made the NBA Finals as a rookie in 2009, and hasn’t missed the playoffs since 2012. He has 50 career postseason games played, averaging just under 29 minutes and shooting 46 percent from the field during those high-stakes appearances.

This past postseason, the Charlotte Hornets had a net rating of -25.3 when Lee wasn’t on the court—and no, that isn’t a typo.

For the Knicks, the hope is that Lee can be a 3-and-D contributor alongside Carmelo Anthony and Derrick Rose. The numbers speak in his favor; In 2015-16, he shot 40.3 percent on catch-and-shoot 3-point field goals, and held opponents to 41.8 percent shooting.

Barring the development of unforeseen circumstances, Lee will be joining the Knicks on a four-year deal starting in 2016-17.

Next: Brandon Jennings

Brandon Jennings: Signed

Position: Point Guard
Age: 26 (9/23/1989)
2015-16 Slash Line: .368/.329/.731
2015-16 Season Averages: 18.1 MPG, 6.9 PPG, 3.5 APG, 2.0 RPG, 1.1 3PM

Following the trade for Derrick Rose, a void presented itself along the second unit. It was received as a wise move, but the loss of both Jose Calderon and Jerian Grant created a fair question: who will be the New York Knicks’ backup point guard?

According to Marc Stein of ESPN, it’s Brandon Jennings who will fill that role.

Per Vincent Goodwill of CSN Chicago, Jennings has agreed to a one-year deal worth $5 million with the Knicks.

That’s an absolute bargain given Jennings’ undeniable potential.

From a statistical perspective, Jennings had a poor year in 2015-16. He shot well below 40 percent from the field, was uncharacteristically poor at the free throw line, and offered minimal production.

2015-16 was more about progress than production, however, and Phil Jackson seems to be intrigued by the progress Jennings has made.

Jennings tore his achilles tendon on January 24, 2015. At the time, he was leading the Detroit Pistons’ resurgence, thus generating All-Star buzz as he led Stan Van Gundy’s crew to 12 wins in 15 games.

Unfortunately, the injury occurred and the skepticism revealed itself.

Despite enduring that devastating injury, Jennings managed to appear in 48 games in 2015-16. He missed just four of a possible 52 games following his return, which is far more important than mere numbers or statistics.

For an idea of what Jennings offers when healthy, he had career averages of 16.6 points, 6.2 assists, 3.2 rebounds, 1.4 steals, and 1.9 3-point field goals made entering 2015-16.

Next: Lance Thomas

Lance Thomas: Signed

Position: Forward
Age: 28 (4/24/1988)
Slash Line: .442/.404/.857
Season Averages: 22.3 MPG, 8.2 PPG, 2.2 RPG, 0.7 3PM

As one can see on the previous slides, the New York Knicks have retooled the roster. Key positional upgrades were made in the form of free agency signings, but there’s a certain measure of continuity to appreciate.

According to Chris Haynes of Cleveland.com, the Knicks have agreed to terms with hybrid forward and fan favorite Lance Thomas.

Per Ian Begley of ESPN New York, Thomas agreed to a four-year contract that will begin with an annual salary of $6.1 million.

That comes out to $27.3 million over four years—a bargain deal in the current market.

Thomas’ statistics may not jump off of the page, but he was one of the most valuable players on the Knicks in 2015-16. His defensive versatility was a vital asset, as was his efficiency as a shooter and unselfishness as a teammate.

Coupled with his clear value in the advanced metrics, it’d be fair to call Thomas the Knicks’ proverbial glue guy.

The Knicks posted a net rating of -0.1 with Thomas on the floor in 2015-16—the No. 1 mark on the team. New York also had a net rating of -4.2 when Thomas came off the floor—a difference of 4.1 points per 100 possessions.

If that doesn’t do it for you, then try this: New York was 25-34 when Thomas played and 7-16 when he didn’t.

Next: Willy Hernangomez

Willy Hernangomez: Signed

Position: Center
Age: 22 (5/27/1994)
2015-16 Slash Line (Liga ACB): .660/.000.707
2015-16 Season Averages (Liga ACB): 12.1 MPG, 5.8 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 1.4 ORPG, 0.6 BPG

UPDATE: Willy Hernangomez and the New York Knicks have agreed to terms on a multi-year deal, per Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical.

The New York Knicks acquired Willy Hernangomez with the No. 35 overall selection in the 2015 NBA Draft. This past season, he posted per 36 averages of 17.2 points, 10.9 rebounds, 4.0 offensive boards, and 1.7 blocks with revered Spanish club Real Madrid.

According to Stefan Bondy of The New York Daily News, Knicks head coach Jeff Hornacek confirmed that Hernangomez will be coming to New York in 2016-17.

While the terms of the contract weren’t disclosed, it stands to reason that Hornacek wouldn’t have made such a claim if a contract hadn’t been signed.

Hernangomez is a 6’11” and 255-pound center with a near 7’2″ wingspan, a 9’1″ standing reach, and respectable athleticism for a center. He gets deep position on the low block, is an outstanding rebounder, and competes on the defensive end of the floor.

This past season, Hernangomez made the Liga ACB All-Young Players Team—essentially the All-Rising Stars Team—for the second consecutive season.

Hernangomez gained invaluable experience at EuroBasket 2015. He played behind and practiced with the likes of NBA legend Pau Gasol and Chicago Bulls forward Nikola Mirotic, helping Spain win the gold medal.

In 2016-17, he’ll have a chance to take what he’s learned to New York, where he’ll be reunited with close friend and former Baloncesto Sevilla teammate Kristaps Porzingis.

Next: Mindaugas Kuzminskas

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.

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.

International basketball guru David Pick reports that the two-year deal will be worth $6 million.

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.

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

Langston Galloway: Qualifying Offer Rescinded

Position: Guard
Age: 24 (12/9/1991)
2015-16 Slash Line: .393/.344/.754
2015-16 Season Averages: 24.8 MPG, 7.6 PPG, 3.5 RPG, 2.5 APG, 0.9 SPG, 0.9 3PM

UPDATE: The New York Knicks have rescinded Langston Galloway’s qualifying offer, thus making him an unrestricted free agent, per Ian Begley of ESPN New York.

The New York Knicks have two players coming off of their rookie contracts. The first of two is combo guard Langston Galloway, who has become something of a fan favorite in local circles.

According to Eric Pincus of Basketball Insiders, the Knicks have extended a qualifying offer to Galloway, thus making him a restricted free agent.

The Knicks were widely expected to extend a qualifying offer to Galloway, which makes this a significant, albeit unsurprising, development.

For those unfamiliar with the process, the incumbent team has the right to match and every contract offer a restricted free agent receives. In other words, New York will have the final say on where Galloway plays in 2016-17.

If Galloway determines that he doesn’t want to sign a long-term contract with the Knicks, he can accept the qualifying offer—a one-year deal worth $2,725,003.

In 2015-16, New York posted a defensive rating of 103.2 with Galloway on the floor—its best with any full-time player on the roster. Its defensive rating of 106.6 without Galloway on the floor was its worst without any specific player on the roster.

The epitome of durability, Galloway has played in all 127 games he’s been eligible for since making his debut in the orange and blue on January 7, 2015.

Next: Cleanthony Early

Cleanthony Early: Qualifying Offer Not Extended

Position: Small Forward
Age: 25 (4/17/1991)
2015-16 Slash Line: .300/.267/.750
2015-16 Season Averages: 9.1 MPG, 1.8 PPG, 1.5 RPG

When Phil Jackson traded into the 2014 NBA Draft to select Cleanthony Early at No. 34 overall, many were intrigued. Early had completed an incredible rise from the NJCAA to the Association by breaking out on the collegiate front.

Two years later, Eric Pincus of BasketballInsiders.com is reporting that the New York Knicks didn’t extend Early’s qualifying offer.

Early will now become an unrestricted free agent, meaning he can sign with any team he chooses.

Before making any concrete determinations, it’s worth noting that Early will play for the Knicks at the Summer League. Thus, it’s entirely possible that he shows out and earns a new contract with the team that drafted him.

It’s also possible that the organization has lost faith in his ability to become a consistent contributor.

In two seasons with the Knicks, Early has played 56 regular season games and amassed a slash line of .346/.263/.750. He’s played at a high level in the D-League, however, and suffered an unprecedented setback in 2015 when he suffered a gunshot wound to the knee.

Enough faith remains in Early for him to be on the Summer League roster, but he’ll need to earn his keep in 2016.

Next: Ron Baker

Ron Baker: Signed

Position: Shooting Guard
Age: 23 (6/30/1993)
2015-16 Slash Line (College): .424/.350/.793
2015-16 Season Averages (College): 31.6 MPG, 14.0 PPG, 4.8 RPG, 3.2 APG, 1.5 SPG, 0.6 BPG, 1.8 3PM

The New York Knicks bucked a trend of trading into the NBA Draft in 2016. Within minutes of the annual selection process concluding, however, the Knicks targeted and signed an undrafted free agent.

According to Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical, the Knicks have signed former Wichita State Shockers guard Ron Baker to a partially guaranteed one-year deal.

Baker joins former Shockers teammate Cleanthony Early as Wichita State stars turned Phil Jackson acquisitions.

Baker isn’t guaranteed to make the main roster, but he’ll have an opportunity to do so. He’s a member of the Knicks’ Summer League roster, and is likely to be invited to training camp if he shines in Orlando and Las Vegas.

Even if Baker is unable to make the main roster, it stands to reason that he could spend time with New York’s NBA D-League affiliate: the Westchester Knicks.

Baker finished his four-year career at Wichita State with 242 3-point field goals made in 124 games played. A career 36.9 percent shooter from beyond the arc, Baker has 3-and-D potential with the complementary skill of being able to handle and facilitate, a la Langston Galloway.

At the very least, Baker will be given the chance to earn a main roster spot during the summer and fall of 2016.

Next: Marshall Plumlee

Marshall Plumlee: Signed

Position: Center
Age: 23 (7/14/1992)
2015-16 Slash Line (College): .688/.000/.575
2015-16 Season Averages (College): 30.5 MPG, 8.3 PPG, 8.5 RPG, 3.3 ORPG, 1.1 APG, 1.6 BPG, 0.8 SPG

The New York Knicks didn’t limit the signing of undrafted free agents to Ron Baker. With a need for interior depth, team president Phil Jackson targeted another former college standout in the hours following the 2016 NBA Draft: Marshall Plumlee.

According to Shams Charania of The Vertical, the Knicks have signed Plumlee to a guaranteed undrafted free agent deal.

This is a wonderful opportunity for Plumlee to join his brothers Mason and Miles in the NBA.

Mason Plumlee started all 82 games for the postseason-bound Portland Trail Blazers in 2015-16. Miles Plumlee will be a restricted free agent this summer, as the Milwaukee Bucks exercised the right to extend a qualifying offer.

The hope in New York is that Marshall Plumlee can be the next member of his family to find his place in the NBA.

Plumlee will play for the Knicks at Summer League and, barring any unforeseen developments, training camp. He’s a 7’1″ center with impressive athleticism for a player his size, and the type of energy that coaches love to have on the floor.

Whether or not Plumlee makes the main roster to start the 2016-17 season, the Knicks seem to believe he has a future in New York.

Next: Summer League

Summer League

The 2016 Orlando Summer League will commence on Saturday, July 2. The New York Knicks will take the court at 3 p.m. against the Detroit Pistons, thus giving fans a first look at the team’s youth movement.

The Orlando Summer League roster has been released, per the Knicks’ public relations team’s official Twitter account.

There are some interesting names to evaluate, including Souleyman Diabate, who led France’s vaunted LNB Pro A league in assists per game in 2015-16.

In terms of the most recognizable names, Wichita State Shockers teammates Ron Baker and Cleanthony Early will be reunited. 2014 NBA Draft acquisition Louis Labeyrie and 2016 undrafted free agent Marshall Plumlee will join them.

All four players could potentially make the main roster, albeit with the expectation of being stashed in the D-League.

Also on the team will be Akil Mitchell and J.P. Tokoto, who were both selected to the 2014 ACC All-Defensive Team. Marvelle Harris, meanwhile, is the all-time leading scorer in Fresno State history, and Chasson Randle was named First Team All-Pac-12 in both 2014 and 2015.

Every one of the previously alluded to players, as well as those flying under the radar, will receive an opportunity to earn a spot on the Knicks’ roster.

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Make sure to check back with Daily Knicks for live updates to the free agency tracker!