New York Knicks: 2020 free agents to wait for if 2019 offseason fails

Otto Porter (Player Option)

Otto Porter Jr. was signed to a luxurious four-year, $106.5 million contract in 2017 to stay with the Washington Wizards. Less than two years later, he was shipped to the Chicago Bulls to ride the rest of the salary wave.

Playing behind John Wall and Bradley Beal, Porter’s numbers were subdued with a career 10.7 points and 5.0 rebounds over five-plus seasons. Upon arrival to the Chicago, however, he had 17.5 points in 15 games, including a 37-point outburst in February.

If the Georgetown product can do this over a full season, his value will rise for the open market and where he can stand in a team’s pecking order.

Porter will enter the third year of his massive contract at age 26, and that player option for $28.48 million follows it for the 2020-21 campaign. He might not find that salary elsewhere, but at 27 years old, a new four-year deal can take him until age 31 and potentially ensure a lucrative, multi-year deal before it’s too late.

If the New York Knicks strike out on Kevin Durant, Porter is someone to place as their wing. They should have one in place before the 2019 offseason closes, hypothetically, but free agency offers the unexpected.

The length as a two-way forward holds its own appeal, as the Knicks can use him as their top defender next to Mitchell Robinson. It’s a step in the right direction, but waiting another year to help this weak side of the court is an issue.