New York Knicks: Five early, defensive-minded free agents to target

3. Al-Farouq Aminu (UFA)

In 2015, Al-Farouq Aminu received an eye-popping — at the time — four-year, $30 million deal. He made under $1 million the season before with the Dallas Mavericks, per Basketball-Reference, but standing 6-foot-9, with a 7-foot-3 wingspan, helped his potential value, and it showed off with the Portland Trail Blazers.

Aminu has started 248 of 286 possible games, including 1.0 steal per game and just over half a block. Along with a 108 defensive rating, he provides quality, supplemental play to Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum.

With the New York Knicks’ defensive woes, Aminu can slot into the middle of the lineup and start. Though not an offensive juggernaut, he hits three-pointers at a 35.5 percent clip as a Trail Blazers and grabs 7.5 rebounds, so there is an impact across the board.

Aminu is an unrestricted free agent and just 28 years old, so the Knicks can offer a multi-year deal that only takes him into his early 30s, if they choose. What his value is, remains unknown, since the salary cap will spike to $109 million.

A long, defensive-minded player like Aminu makes too much sense for Fizdale’s desires. He can guard wings and deliver enough offensive production to fill a starting spot or become a top player off the bench, which has been the case for a playoff-bound Portland team.