Who are the best free agents to be linked to the New York Knicks before the chaos starts?
The New York Knicks have $70 million to spend in 2019 NBA Free agency, the long-awaited, much-discussed part of the calendar. With almost all speculation and no results, it will finally put to bed the talk of one or two superstars signing or another team forming the latest superteam, potentially the Los Angeles Lakers.
Will the Knicks sign anyone? They should inevitably find players to take their money. Whether it is the stars or lesser talents remains unknown, with the answers not arriving until 6:00 p.m. ET on Sunday, June 30 crossing.
Players were linked to the Knicks as early as November. Now, of course, more names have floated around with free agency nearing.
Who are the top players to be linked to New York as the start time nears? Let’s take a look:
7. Bobby Portis
According to NBC Sports’ Chase Hughes, the Knicks sit among the teams interested in Bobby Portis, who will hit the open market as a restricted free agent, pending the Washington Wizards make a qualifying offer.
Portis joined the Wizards at the trade deadline, arriving with Jabari Parker from the Chicago Bulls for Otto Porter. His time in the Windy City was productive, including 14.1 points and 7.3 rebounds in 22 games in 2018-19, but defensive woes set him back.
The fit with the Knicks is as a stretch four for Mitchell Robinson, who is a shot-blocking center without outside range. The floor can open, unlike it did for most of last season.
If Portis signs for one or two years, it makes sense. Plus, the Knicks need to upgrade the spot next to Robinson to make this frontcourt offensively productive.
However, Portis wants up to $16 million per season, according to The Athletic. Potentially over three or four seasons, that consumes a chunk of New York’s cap space and unnecessarily limits them.
Reporting with @FredKatz: Washington Wizards forward Bobby Portis is seeking as much as $16 million in free agency, League Sources tell The Athletic. The Wizards aren't expected to match a huge offer sheet. Portis has interest from multiple teams on the market, sources say
— Tony Jones (@Tjonesonthenba) June 25, 2019
This is a player for a team with cap space, but not in the market for top free agents to sign. They can throw his desired money at him and fill the power forward spot.