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New York Knicks: Team is already setting up its free agent pitch

By Daniel Lubofsky

CHARLOTTE, NC - DECEMBER 14: Kevin Knox #20 of the New York Knicks is introduced onto the court before the game against the Charlotte Hornets on December 14, 2018 at Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. 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 Kent Smith/NBAE via Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NC - DECEMBER 14: Kevin Knox #20 of the New York Knicks is introduced onto the court before the game against the Charlotte Hornets on December 14, 2018 at Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. 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 Kent Smith/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Top draft picks are nice, but the New York Knicks’ competitive play is sending a positive message to upcoming free agents.

It’s no secret that with money coming off the books at seasons end, the New York Knicks will attempt to recruit at least one of the big-name stars in this summers free agent class to help lead the team back to on-court relevance.

Such attempts have been made in past years, with the front office hoping the allure of the Big Apple and Madison Square Garden could mask any deficiencies the roster may have had, but to no avail.

Now, the Knicks are different, having built mostly through the draft with players oozing potential during every game, but there are still some who are of the belief that the team as a whole is too young and not experienced enough to convince an in-his-prime superstar to come to New York.

They may have the youngest team in the league, but the Knicks have been playing anything but. They’ve taken down NBA elites like the Boston Celtics and Milwaukee Bucks and have kept things competitive with the likes of the Golden State Warriors and Portland Trail Blazers.

Undrafted phenom Allonzo Trier recently inked a two-year deal for his play so far this season. Kevin Knox appears to be finding his groove after a slow injury-plagued start, averaging 23.0 points per game over his last three outings.

On Friday night New York overcame a 16-point fourth quarter deficit to take down the Charlotte Hornets on the road in overtime 126-124 thanks to a career-high 34 points from Emmanual Mudiay, who appears to have rediscovered the skills that made him the seventh overall pick in the 2015 Draft.

Inexperienced teams aren’t supposed to be playing the way the Knicks have so far this season, but here they are with an average age of just 23.9 playing well beyond their years, even if it’s not showing up as much in the win column with the way they compete on a nightly basis.

Zion Williamson or R.J. Barrett would look really good in the orange and blue, but neither would help convince someone like Kevin Durant that the Knicks aren’t as far away from title-contention as he may think.

The way to the hearts of the NBA’s elite is to show them the path to a championship. The Knicks may not have the flashiest names out there, but the competitiveness of their games should signal to all upcoming free agents that New York may not be as far off from the playoffs as originally thought.

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And maybe their enticing play will be enough to get someone to sign on the dotted line this upcoming summer.