Knicks Rumors: Pros and Cons of potentially signing Alan Williams

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PHOENIX, AZ – DECEMBER 13: Kristaps Porzingis #6 of the New York Knicks high fives Joakim Noah #13 and Mindaugas Kuzminskas #91 as he sits on the bench during the second half of the NBA game against the Phoenix Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena on December 13, 2016 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns defeated the Knicks 113-111. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

Con: The Logjam

The New York Knicks have a surplus of big men and only so many minutes to go around. Kristaps Porzingis and Willy Hernangomez projected to be featured long-term players, which leaves limited time for the likes of Joakim Noah, Kyle O’Quinn, and Lance Thomas.

Thus, while trades are certainly within the realm of possibility, adding another big man to the mix would make it even more difficult for Jeff Hornacek to break the logjam.

Porzingis averaged 32.8 minutes played per game in 2016-17, and it’s unlikely that said number will decrease in 2017-18. Hernangomez averaged 18.4 minutes per game, but per 36 averages of 16.0 points and 13.6 rebounds suggest that number will rise meteorically.

It’s also worth noting that Hernangomez averaged 24.2 minutes played in 23 games after the All-Star Break—a number may still be low compared to his 2017-18 figure.

With Porzingis and Hernangomez playing big minutes on a nightly basis, the Knicks may struggle to get Noah, O’Quinn, and Thomas time at interior positions. Thomas could be utilized at the 3, but all three players are better off at either power forward or center.

By adding Williams to the rotation, the Knicks would make it necessary for Steve Mills to trade at least one, if not two, interior players.