New York Knicks: Five early, potential ‘mid-tier’ targets in 2019 free agency
2. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope is in the midst of his second season with the Los Angeles Lakers, and it’s no guarantee he lasts the rest of this campaign there, per Marc Stein of the New York Times. Either way, he will hit free agency in July.
As the NBA becomes positionless, players like Caldwell-Pope increase in value. He’s 6-foot-5, shoots well from long distance and plays quality defense. It shifts him into a slightly smaller version of the “wing” player teams covet, and that can make the New York Knicks an option for him in free agency.
The Knicks have a defensive need at almost any spot on the court. Frank Ntilikina and Mitchell Robinson possess defensive acumen, and Kristaps Porzingis holds his own when healthy. Otherwise, the team does not have long-term pieces that perform adequately at the opposite side of 94 feet.
Caldwell-Pope can step into the starting lineup, potentially between Kevin Knox and Tim Hardaway Jr., if head coach David Fizdale wants a small-ball lineup. If not, could Hardaway Jr.’s lose his starter’s spot in this scenario?
Each of the past two seasons, Caldwell-Pope has taken one-year deals. At age 26 for this next contract, could he try to cash-in on a two-year salary that takes him to free agency at age 28? If so, it’s a short-term situation that won’t destroy New York’s future cap flexibility.