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Knicks rumors: Signing top 2019 free agent no longer a main priority

By Rob Wolkenbrod

GREENBURG, NY - JULY 17: New York Knicks team President, Steve Mills and Jeff Hornacek of the New York Knicks introduce General Manager Scott Perry at a pess conference at the at Knicks Practice Center July 17, 2017 in Greenburg, New York. 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 2017 NBAE (Photo by Steven Freeman/NBAE via Getty Images)
GREENBURG, NY - JULY 17: New York Knicks team President, Steve Mills and Jeff Hornacek of the New York Knicks introduce General Manager Scott Perry at a pess conference at the at Knicks Practice Center July 17, 2017 in Greenburg, New York. 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 2017 NBAE (Photo by Steven Freeman/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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The New York Knicks may not prioritize 2019 free agency as much anymore, according to a report.

2019 free agency was always seen as critical for the New York Knicks. With about $30 million in cap space and big names soon to be available on the open market, they have the ability to be a factor, even if it takes an extra move to open more money.

Might the Knicks change course in ideology, though? According to Marc Berman of the New York Post, the team no longer views 2019 free agency as a “make-or-break free-agent summer.” They think their plan can work without signing a top name like Kawhi Leonard or Kemba Walker.

Instead, the Knicks want to focus on developing their young players and Kristaps Porzingis‘ knee rehabilitation.

Interestingly enough, Berman added, there are “tentative moves in place” for the front office to reach $38 million in cap space, the necessary amount to sign Kevin Durant on a maximum contract. It was not noted what those moves could be.

If so, this will continue the Knicks’ approach at developing their young players, rather than rushing into making win-now moves. Of course, that can change if one of the top names want to sign in July.

As for Durant, the Knicks need to clear about $6 to 8 million in cap space to sign him. Moving Courtney Lee‘s $12.75 million salary in 2019-20 fits that bill as does Tim Hardaway Jr.’s $18.15 million.

Sending either player away makes for a complicated process, however, which could play into New York’s changing perspective on next summer. They may have to attach an asset to complete a trade, and that’s not something the front office wanted to do.

By not doing this and sticking with their projected cap room for 2019, it makes Lee into an expiring contract, which the Knicks can use towards a trade in the middle of next season. Hardaway is a different story, though, pending he exercises an $18.97 million salary for 2020-21.

So, if the Knicks choose to not make a move to clear space, they have a chance at free agents in the next tier. Eric Bledsoe, Tobias Harris and Paul Millsap will be among them. What kind of contracts the front office hands out makes for an interesting subplot to free agency, as handing out a multi-year deal would compromise part of the 2020 payroll.

As for that 2020 class, which president Steve Mills and general manager Scott Perry can wait for, Draymond Green, Anthony Davis, Andre Drummond, Kyle Lowry and Brandon Ingram all have the chance to hit the open market, whether they will become restricted or unrestricted free agents.

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It is early to deem anything about the New York Knicks’ plans for next summer. But, if they change course from the biggest free-agent names, it means a slower rebuild to create a brighter future at Madison Square Garden.

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