New York Knicks: Ranking the top 2019 free agents targets

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6. Terry Rozier

Terry Rozier became recognizable during the 2018 playoffs, taking over point guard for the injured Kyrie Irving. The Boston Celtics were one game from the NBA Finals, before LeBron James pushed them away with an epic Game 7 performance.

For the next 12 months, Rozier disappeared. His 2018-19 season never approached his magical run to close 2017-18 and the three postseason series, which featured 16.5 points, 5.3 rebounds and 5.7 assists.

Instead, the Louisville product shot just 38.7 percent for 9.0 points per game behind Irving. He shot 35.3 percent from behind the arc on 4.3 attempts.

Rozier’s numbers over four seasons have not proven he can handle a full-time starting job, yet the New York Knicks do not think he sits that far below Irving, according to Marc Berman of the New York Post.

If so, how much money will New York throw at Rozier and for how many years? A lucrative contract will place him above Dennis Smith Jr., who was the starting point guard until a back injury arrived. Both players have unproven track records, but Smith may be significantly cheaper.

Maybe the Knicks pair these young point guards together. Both are erratic shooters, though, and that experiment can fall apart within months.

Striking out on the top point guards can lead to Rozier’s arrival. It is not free agency’s best options, and there is arguably a player for the Knicks to stick with instead.