The New York Knicks have agreed to terms with former Wisconsin Badgers forward Nigel Hayes. Why should you care about the signing?
The New York Knicks have committed to building a locker room that values team success over all else. In doing so, the front office has committed to creating an environment that may require the acquisition and departure of key assets.
One of those assets may end up being former Wisconsin Badgers star Nigel Hayes, whom the Knicks have developed a growing relationship with since Summer League.
New York has a quality cast of young players on the current roster. A vacancy could soon exist at the two forward spots, however, which has thus resulted in general manager Scott Perry and president Steve Mills looking back to free agency.
According to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, the former Wisconsin standout has agreed to a partially guaranteed contract with the Knicks.
Wisconsin's Nigel Hayes has agreed to a partially guaranteed deal with the Knicks, league source tells ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) August 18, 2017
This is yet another example of New York understanding the value of building for the future with young and moldable talent.
Hayes was one of the more impressive members of the Knicks’ Orlando Summer League team. He went undrafted this past June, but has managed to remain on the NBA radar throughout the 2017 offseason due to his untapped potential.
The question is: Why should New York Knicks fans be excited about the front office’s decision to sign Nigel Hayes to a partially guaranteed contract?