New York Knicks: How top 2019 free agents have played in contract year

Kawhi Leonard

Age: 27
Height, Weight: 6-foot-7, 230 pounds
Slash Line: .499/.354/.860
Season Averages: 27.0 PPG, 7.3 RPG, 3.2 APG, 1.8 SPG, 0.4 BPG, 1.7 3PM
Current Contract: $23.11 million ($21.32 million player option for 2019-20)

There’s a case to make for Kawhi Leonard as the best free agent available in July — even over Kevin Durant — but this is, perhaps, the NBA’s quietest potential big name to hit the open market.

Like the injury saga with the San Antonio Spurs, Leonard has not addressed anything regarding this upcoming, controversial free-agent period. That’s as his play does the talking with the Toronto Raptors, with a current career-high of 27.0 points and 7.3 rebounds per game.

The impact continues through the stat line, as Leonard amasses 3.2 assists, 1.8 steals, 0.4 blocks and almost 2.0 three-pointers per contest.

It’s only in 49 games, but that’s due to Toronto’s “load management” label placed on the San Diego State product when he sits games to preserve his health and wear and tear.

Will Leonard join his third team in three years, though? That will only happen if he declines a player option that’s cheaper than what he makes now, with a four or five-year contract for max money ahead.

The New York Knicks will undoubtedly have to offer four years and a salary over $30 million. It’s a high cost, but for a player who’s one of the best at both ends of the court. For an organization in dire need of defense, this is as good as it gets.