The New York Knicks will have a handful of free agents next summer. Let’s predict early on if these players return to the team for 2019-20.
There’s always an eye on the future in the NBA, and the New York Knicks are no different. 2018-19 was deemed a “developmental” year for this franchise, as they encounter a true rebuild, rather than acquiring win-now players for a pursuit of something out of reach.
Part of that process includes 2019 free agency, and not just players the Knicks could sign; it’s also related to their own players they can re-sign or let walk on the open market.
For now, the Knicks project to have nine players hit free agency. (Allonzo Trier makes it 10, but his impending contract clouds this. Damyean Dotson will not factor into this, either)
There are plenty of choices for this organization to make. Though still early in the season, let’s project who they will bring back less than seven months in advance:
Ron Baker and Luke Kornet
Ron Baker signed a two-year, $8.9 million contract in 2017. It seemed expensive at the time, and after a shoulder injury and a spot at the end of head coach David Fizdale’s bench, that notion is justified. That’s despite the Wichita State product’s work ethic and defensive acumen.
However, Baker might not even make it through the rest of the season. With Allonzo Trier and the New York Knicks negotiating out of a two-way contract, it will force the organization to waive a player, since they sit at 15 guaranteed deals.
Given Baker’s limited role, it could end his Knicks run within the next week. If not, it would be a surprise, in general, to see him return in 2019-20.
Just about the same applies to Luke Kornet, aside from the expensive contract. He rarely plays, but offers a unique combination of size and shooting. Maybe that’s enough to keep him through the rest of the season, but not for 2019-20.
Prediction: Neither return for 2019-20