The New York Knicks are looking for a point guard to pair with Frank Ntilikina. Who might the Knicks be able to sign with their remaining cap space?
The New York Knicks have made it no secret that a goal in free agency is to find a point guard to pair with Frank Ntilikina. Ntilikina was selected at No. 8 overall in the 2017 NBA Draft, but the working theory is that he’ll need time before he’s ready to become a full-time starter.
Unfortunately, a vast majority of the free agent point guards whom the Knicks were targeting have been signed by rival executives.
New York was linked to the likes of George Hill, Jrue Holiday, Shelvin Mack, and Jeff Teague—all of whom have been signed by other teams. New York has also expressed interest in Rajon Rondo and Derrick Rose, but it lacks the necessary cap space to sign them straight up.
By handing Tim Hardaway Jr. a four-year deal worth $71 million, the Knicks have greatly limited their options in free agency.
A potential Carmelo Anthony trade could clear cap space, however, and remains an option worth looking into. If a move can’t be executed in time, then the Knicks will need to survey the field and take a chance on a low-risk, high-reward type of player.
The question is: Which point guards should the New York Knicks look into signing before they run out of options entirely?
Tyler Ennis, UFA
Age: 22 (8/24/1994)
Experience: 3 Seasons
2016-17 Slash Line: .433/.386/.840
2016-17 Season Averages: 11.1 MPG, 4.3 PPG, 1.6 APG, 0.8 RPG, 0.5 3PM
During his lone season with the Syracuse Orange, point guard Tyler Ennis displayed incredible poise under pressure. He drew comparisons to San Antonio Spurs point guard Tony Parker for his patience and offensive skill level, and was thus selected at No. 18 overall in the 2014 NBA Draft.
The New York Knicks are in need of a point guard who can help pace the offense, and Ennis has the skill set to thrive under Jeff Hornacek.
Ennis has received limited playing time during his three-year career, but he’s tested well in the advanced metrics. Thus far, he boasts career averages of 12.1 points, 5.5 assists, 3.4 rebounds, 1.5 steals, and 1.1 3-point field goals made per 36 minutes.
In 2016-17, Ennis stepped up with averages of 14.0 points, 5.3 assists, 2.8 rebounds, 1.5 steals, and 1.7 3-point field goals made per 36 minutes.
There’s no guaranteeing that the numbers will translate to per game, but he played well in a limited sample size in 2016-17. He shot 38.6 percent from 3-point range, and averaged 7.7 points in 17.8 minutes on a slash line of .451/.389/.864 after the All-Star Break.
Ennis struggles to convert from anywhere within the 3-point line, but he can create for his teammates and space the floor—skills New York needs.
Ty Lawson, UFA
Age: 29 (11/3/1987)
Experience: 8 Seasons
2016-17 Slash Line: .454/.288/.797
2016-17 Season Averages: 25.1 MPG, 9.9 PPG, 4.8 APG, 2.6 RPG, 1.1 SPG, 0.5 3PM
It wasn’t too long ago that Ty Lawson was on the border of All-Star status. Between the 2013-14 and 2014-15 seasons, Lawson averaged 16.3 points and 9.2 assists per game, including the 17.2 points per game he averaged in 2013-14, and the 9.6 assists per game he averaged in 2014-15.
Lawson has declined from that status, but he played well enough in 2016-17 to earn consideration by the New York Knicks in free agency.
Lawson finished the 2016-17 season with averages of 14.2 points, 6.9 assists, 3.7 rebounds, and 1.5 steals per 36 minutes. The Sacramento Kings may have gone 32-50, but Lawson did a solid job of meshing with the team’s young roster.
With the Knicks, Lawson’s ability to push the pace and find his teammates for easy looks would create a healthier environment offensively.
Head coach Jeff Hornacek plans to run an offense that emphasizes speed and precision in 2016-17. In order to do so, he’ll need a point guard who can get the team running in transition, work the pick and roll, and think with a pass-first mentality.
Lawson may only have so much left in the tank, but on a one-year deal for the veteran’s minimum, he could be a solid addition who rediscovers above-average form.
Rajon Rondo
Age: 31 (2/22/1986)
Experience: 11 Seasons
2016-17 Slash Line: .408/.376/.600
2016-17 Season Averages: 26.7 MPG, 7.8 PPG, 6.7 APG, 5.1 RPG, 1.4 SPG
The New York Knicks have a need for a facilitating point guard who can alleviate pressure from the younger players. Said player must be able to create efficient scoring opportunities for the likes of Tim Hardaway Jr., Willy Hernangomez, and Kristaps Porzingis.
The only way to get this deal done would be to trade Carmelo Anthony and clear up cap space, but signing Rajon Rondo should be a top priority for Steve Mills.
Rondo may be a veteran, but he’s been heralded by the Chicago Bulls and Sacramento Kings for his leadership. His game is predicated on his ability to make other players look better, and that’s exactly what New York needs.
Hardaway Jr. and Porzingis will need to prove theirselves in isolation in 2016-17, but having a player who can get them easy looks would be invaluable.
Rondo may have regressed in some areas, but he’s still a three-time assists leader who earned that crown as recently as 2015-16. If he continues to embrace the pass-first mentality that he’s displayed his entire career, then he should help the Knicks.
The Knicks desperately need a facilitating point guard, and Rondo has all of the tools to check that box for Jeff Hornacek in 2016-17.
Greivis Vasquez, UFA
Age: 30 (1/16/1997)
Experience: 7th Season
Career Slash Line: .418/.349/.817
Career Averages: 23.7 MPG, 9.0 PPG, 4.8 APG, 2.5 RPG, 1.0 3PM
The New York Knicks have a desperate need for a point guard who can set the table for other players. It’s fair to question how much more Greivis Vasquez can offer, but he’s proven himself as a facilitator in the NBA.
The 30-year-old point guard has appeared in just 26 games over the course of the past two seasons, but he could be a great redemption story at the veteran’s minimum.
After seven NBA seasons, Vasquez has averages of 4.8 assists per game and 7.3 assists per 36 minutes. Coupled with a career assist-to-turnover ratio of 2.57, the numbers are a fair reflection of how gifted he is as a facilitator.
For a Knicks team that needs little more than passing ability from the point guard position, Vasquez’s proficiency in that regard is worth looking into.
There’s undeniable risk involved here, as injuries and defensive inconsistency have plagued Vasquez’s career. If the Knicks take a one-year flyer on Vasquez, however, it could enable both he and the organization to take a step forward.
Vasquez is also a career 34.9 percent 3-point shooter with elite size at 6’6″, which could help provide a sense of continuity with Frank Ntilikina.
Must Read: Tracking the development of Tim Hardaway Jr.
The New York Knicks may not have stars to choose from, but there are quality options in free agency.