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New York Knicks: Wayne Ellington calls NYK the ‘perfect situation’ for him

By Rob Wolkenbrod

DETROIT, MI - APRIL 22: Wayne Ellington #20 of the Detroit Pistons looks on against the Milwaukee Bucks during Game Four of Round One of the 2019 NBA Playoffs on April 22, 2019 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Brian Sevald/NBAE via Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI - APRIL 22: Wayne Ellington #20 of the Detroit Pistons looks on against the Milwaukee Bucks during Game Four of Round One of the 2019 NBA Playoffs on April 22, 2019 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Brian Sevald/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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One of the New York Knicks’ seven signings in free agency, Wayne Ellington said in a recent interview why he chose to join the organization.

Among the free-agent moves in late June and early July for the New York Knicks, Wayne Ellington signed a contract, with a guaranteed first year and what is essentially a team option for the 2020-21 season. He projects to make $8 million in 2019-20.

Ellington was one of multiple veteran signings for the Knicks, especially to upgrade a three-point shooting mark that sat near the bottom of the NBA. Along with him, players like Bobby Portis and Julius Randle will help the team stretch the floor.

Why the Knicks, though? In an interview with HoopsHype’s Alex Kennedy, the 10-year guard said it was the “perfect situation” for him:

"There were a lot of teams that were interested. I spoke to a lot of different teams and considered a lot of different situations, but [my agent] Mark Bartelstein and I just felt like this was the perfect situation for me. Obviously, New York is a very young team. They have a nice young core with Kevin Knox, who they drafted last year, and RJ Barrett and Julius Randle, who was one of the first people I heard from. He was hitting me up like, “Yo, I need you, man! I need your shooting!” Things just came together pretty quickly, honestly. The interest was mutual and I just feel like it’s going to be a great situation. A lot of people are counting us out, and we hear all of those rumblings. We hear all of it. We’re excited and we’re a very motivated group."

Ellington will take an “older” role on this young Knicks team, which has another two draft picks from 2019, the returning 2018 class and third-year pros like Frank Ntilikina and Dennis Smith Jr. It somewhat resembles the spot that Lance Thomas had in 2018-19, although with potentially more playing time, as New York will need this outside shooting presence.

Having a floor spacer next to the aforementioned Kevin Knox and RJ Barrett can take pressure off of them, with a player to pass to, that consistently makes open shots from distance. The Knicks’ last two first-round picks still have work to do from behind the arc.

The communication with Randle is a positive, as well. While the Kentucky product had a career-high three-point percentage with the New Orleans Pelicans, his work is mostly known to happen inside the arc, closer to the basket. Again, players like Ellington can alleviate the need for a teammate to act outside his comfort zone.

Maybe this happens as a starter, but Ellington can also work off the bench as the ninth or 10th man for head coach David Fizdale, which his specialist game might better suit. That lets him work behind, potentially, Barrett if he receives the opening night nod to start.

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Either way, Ellington will play an important role for the Knicks in 2019-20. They need his attributes, and he can work into a key reserve spot, at least.