Remember Jordan Hill? The New York Knicks drafted him one spot before Brandon Jennings in the 2009 NBA Draft. The Compton native had been campaigning to join the Knicks, but instead went the Milwaukee Bucks.
Now Jennings will fulfill his dream of playing at the Mecca. Jennings is the type of player that is good enough to be a starter, but may be best coming off the bench.
That’s why the most surprising Knicks offseason news came when it was revealed that Jennings agreed to sign for a one year prove it deal for $5 million. Last year, Wesley Matthews struck it rich last season when he signed with the Dallas Mavericks for $70 million.
Matthews suffered a similar achilles injury as Jennings. But while Matthews recovered quicker than most expected, Jennings is still finding his footing.
Of course there is the argument that the Knicks traded for a point guard with injuries and signed a backup point guard with injuries. However, with such a small risk and high reward factor, the Knicks are the clear winners with this signing.
As is Jennings, who will look to go back to his pre-injury form this year. Jackson has put some pressure on the backup point guard as he wants him to win the Sixth Man of the Year award.
If Jennings returns to anything close to his old self, he just may.
GRADE: A+
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