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New York Knicks: Five free agents to attempt to sign in 2018

By Maxwell Ogden

ORLANDO, FL - APRIL 6: Mario Hezonja #8 of the Orlando Magic shoots the ball against the Charlotte Hornets on April 6, 2018 at Amway Center in Orlando, Florida. Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FL - APRIL 6: Mario Hezonja #8 of the Orlando Magic shoots the ball against the Charlotte Hornets on April 6, 2018 at Amway Center in Orlando, Florida. Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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DETROIT, MI – MARCH 9: James Ennis III #33 of the Detroit Pistons dunks the ball during the game against the Chicago Bulls on MARCH 9, 2018 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Brian Sevald/NBAE via Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI – MARCH 9: James Ennis III #33 of the Detroit Pistons dunks the ball during the game against the Chicago Bulls on MARCH 9, 2018 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Brian Sevald/NBAE via Getty Images) /

James Ennis

The New York Knicks are looking for length and athleticism along the wings. Kevin Knox should help provide as much, as he stands at 6’9″ with a 7’0″ wingspan, a 9’0″ standing reach, and more than adequate athleticism for the 3-spot.

Knox projects to be more of a small-ball 4 at the next level, however, which makes the addition of depth at small forward a crucial point of emphasis.

James Ennis isn’t the biggest name in the NBA, but he’s a two-way player who could step in and provide immediate value. He’s a 6’7″ wing with a near 7’0″ wingspan, as well as the athletic ability to defend both the 2 and the 3.

Ennis could be picked up by a contender, but it may be worth offering him the rather lucrative mid-level exception to bring him in for a one-year tryout at a figure he otherwise wouldn’t command.

Ennis struggled to shoot in Detroit, but he converted 36.7 percent of his three-point field goals between his 2016-17 and 2017-18 tenures with the Memphis Grizzlies. It’s worth noting that his head coach during that time was none other than David Fizdale.

With length, athleticism, a solid jump shot, and a connection to Fizdale, Ennis could provide invaluable depth to the Knicks during the 2018-19 season.