New York Knicks: Five reasons to sign Mario Hezonja in free agency

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MILWAUKEE, WI – APRIL 09: Mario Hezonja #8 of the Orlando Magic attempts a shot while being guarded by D.J. Wilson #5 of the Milwaukee Bucks in the fourth quarter at the Bradley Center on April 9, 2018 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /

5. Low Risk, High Reward

The New York Knicks have made it abundantly clear that they’re willing to gamble on talent with short-term contracts. New York acquired former top-10 draft picks Trey Burke, Enes Kanter, and Emmanuel Mudiay in 2017-18, as well as former lottery pick Doug McDermott.

If nothing else, adding Mario Hezonja would fit the Knicks’ proven willingness to acquire former top-10 draft picks and explore their untapped potential on short-term deals.

Hezonja’s Orlando Magic tenure was disappointing, and I admit it’s possible that his 2017-18 success was an example of contract-year syndrome. The Knicks would be able to sign him for a reasonable cost, however, which can’t be overlooked.

A vast majority of teams will be strapped for cash during the 2018 period of free agency, and Hezonja could thus look to raise his profile on a short-term deal in a major market.

Hezonja made $4,078,320 in 2017-18, and it’s hard to imagine he’d receive much more than that from any of the teams with cap space. This isn’t the deepest class of free agents, but there’s enough talent that New York can offer a low-risk, high-reward type of deal.

It’s understandable to express hesitation or trepidation, but there’s a simple question to ask if the contract is reasonable: What is there to lose?