Daily Knicks
Fansided

New York Knicks: Returning players on expiring contracts in 2018-19

By Rob Wolkenbrod

NEW YORK, NY - FEBRUARY 14: Enes Kanter #00 of the New York Knicks reacts in the second half against the Washington Wizards during their game at Madison Square Garden on February 14, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - FEBRUARY 14: Enes Kanter #00 of the New York Knicks reacts in the second half against the Washington Wizards during their game at Madison Square Garden on February 14, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 6
Next
DENVER, CO – JANUARY 25: Ron Baker #31 of the New York Knicks handles the ball against the Denver Nuggets on January 25, 2018 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images)
DENVER, CO – JANUARY 25: Ron Baker #31 of the New York Knicks handles the ball against the Denver Nuggets on January 25, 2018 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Ron Baker ($4.5 million)

Ron Baker flashed defensive upside in his rookie season with the New York Knicks, with nearly one steal per game in a limited role, as well as a playmaking ability. Thus, the organization gave him a two-year, $8.9 million contract in the 2017 offseason, with a player option for year two.

Well, for Baker’s sake, the player option came in handy. He suffered a dislocated right shoulder and torn labrum in January, and played just 29 games, averaging 2.4 points and a 33.9 percent mark from the field. Surgery was performed in February.

Of course, given the injury and lackluster stats, Baker exercised the player option and will earn $4.5 million in 2018-19.

If healthy to start the season, Baker should himself in a bench role, identical to the past two seasons. That’s behind Courtney Lee, Mario Hezonja, Emmanuel Mudiay, Trey Burke and Frank Ntilkina. So it might not be impossible to carve out a role, but under the new head coach, David Fizdale, there’s work ahead for the Wichita State product to re-prove himself.

Baker can find this opportunity in training camp and the preseason to potentially navigate past Mudiay or Hezonja, pending how they perform in their first fill go-arounds in New York. It’s an opportunity to boost his value before 2019 free agency, which might not return another $4.5 million salary.