The New York Knicks have reportedly agreed to terms with free agent shooting guard Courtney Lee. Here are five reasons you should love this signing.
Phil Jackson and the New York Knicks know exactly what they want. There may be a greater sense of flexibility than in previous seasons, but it’s abundantly clear that Jackson has a defined vision for the Knicks.
In order to properly execute that vision, New York needed to find a shooting guard who would fill a glaring void in its starting lineup.
New York addressed the need for a point guard by trading for 2011 NBA MVP Derrick Rose. It then made a powerful statement by agreeing to terms on a four-year deal with free agent center .
According to Alex Kennedy of Basketball Insiders, the Knicks have agreed to terms on a four-year deal worth $50 million with shooting guard Courtney Lee.
Courtney Lee has agreed to a four-year, $50 million deal with the Knicks.
— Alex Kennedy (@AlexKennedyNBA) July 2, 2016
According to Ian Begley of ESPN New York, the deal will be worth $48 million over four seasons.
Update: Courtney Lee's deal with the Knicks is fully guaranteed, in the neighborhood of $48 million over four years, sources say.
— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) July 2, 2016
Regardless of which financial figure is correct, Lee will be a vital addition to the Knicks.
Lee is coming off of a season during which he averaged 9.6 points, 2.6 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 1.1 steals, and 1.0 3-point field goal made per game. He did so on an efficient slash line of .454/.378/.839.
Though his season averages weren’t spectacular, Lee started for two teams—he was traded at the deadline—that both made the playoffs.
Lee’s value is far bigger than the numbers suggest. He’s a positively influential player who has made a living out of helping his team reach the postseason, and that alone is reason to love this signing.
That beckons the question of the hour: why should Knicks fans love this signing?
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