Daily Knicks
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New York Knicks: 2019 NBA free agency grades for every contract

By Rob Wolkenbrod

SACRAMENTO, CA - APRIL 7: Elfrid Payton #4 of the New Orleans Pelicans looks on during the game against the Sacramento Kings on April 7, 2019 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. 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 Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)
SACRAMENTO, CA - APRIL 7: Elfrid Payton #4 of the New Orleans Pelicans looks on during the game against the Sacramento Kings on April 7, 2019 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. 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 Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images)
(Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images) /

SG. New York Knicks. REGGIE BULLOCK. B.

In the middle of the night, the New York Knicks gave Reggie Bullock a two-year, $21 million contract, according to Stadium and The Athletic’s Shams Charania. It has a team option for the second season. This lowered the team’s cap space to $18 million at the time.

It marked the fourth two-year deal given by the front office. Clearly, they have a plan, and cap space will open, again, in the 2021 offseason when another superstar class hits free agency.

With that a long way down the road, the Knicks can look forward to what Bullock brings them now: outside shooting from the backcourt.

New York shot 34 percent on three-pointers in 2018-19, which placed them in the NBA’s bottom five. Part of it attributed to the inconsistencies of Allonzo Trier, Damyean Dotson, Dennis Smith Jr., Frank Ntilikina, Emmanuel Mudiay and even Tim Hardaway Jr. Trier developed as the season progressed, and Dotson still had a 36.8 percentage, but the rest struggled.

Bullock is not a dynamic scorer and can’t solve all the problems, but a career 39.2 percent mark from long distance will help. He does it at a high volume, taking 5.4 outside shots per game over the past two seasons.

If Fizdale wants more floor spacing in the lineup, Bullock is a potential spot starter. Otherwise, he joins a bench mob that likely includes Gibson and Portis. While not a star-studded cast, this is quality depth behind a young lineup.

Per Yahoo’s Vincent Goodwill, the Knicks might not be done with outside scorers, either. They are addressing a clear need, and Bullock is just the start.