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New York Knicks: Ranking the top 2019 free agents targets

By Rob Wolkenbrod

TORONTO, ONTARIO - JUNE 10: DeMarcus Cousins #0 of the Golden State Warriors reacts in the fourth quarter against the Toronto Raptors during Game Five of the 2019 NBA Finals at Scotiabank Arena on June 10, 2019 in Toronto, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ONTARIO - JUNE 10: DeMarcus Cousins #0 of the Golden State Warriors reacts in the fourth quarter against the Toronto Raptors during Game Five of the 2019 NBA Finals at Scotiabank Arena on June 10, 2019 in Toronto, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
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New York Knicks (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /

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.

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.