New York Knicks: Is Brandon Ingram an option in 2020 free agency?
By Anthony Rios
Are the New York Knicks a potential option for Brandon Ingram next summer?
The New York Knicks have yet to get over this past summer’s free agency, which was considered a failure due to players like Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving not signing. Instead, those two signed near-max contracts with the Brooklyn Nets.
The summer of 2019 had an amazing market for free agency but compared to what’s to come in 2021, it’s not even close.
The 2021 market is filled with several superstar talents who could potentially take their talents elsewhere. Names like Giannis Antetokounmpo, Kawhi Leonard, Paul George, LeBron James, and Bradley Beal are marquee free agents. After striking out this past free agency, they have another test ahead at attracting star players.
The Knicks signed several players to two-year contracts this past offseason, including Elfrid Payton, Bobby Portis, Wayne Ellington, and Taj Gibson, each of whom have team options or partial guarantees for 2020-21. There’s a chance these players will not be wearing Knick uniforms next year, which could open cap space for the 2020 summer.
One name that stands out in that class is soon-to-be restricted free agent, Brandon Ingram of the New Orleans Pelicans.
Ingram has finally started to live up to the expectations of a No. 2 overall pick. In 16 games this year, the 22-year-old has averaged 25.5 points, 7.4 rebounds and 4.0 assists per game, along with 48.8 percent from the field, 41 percent from three and 81 percent from the free throw line, putting him in early contention for Most Improved Player and to make the All-Star Game.
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Ingram has shown the ability to close out games and has improved in decision making, which the Knicks lack this year. As a result, could they add him next year?
The way the season is shaping out to be, New York will finish with one of the worst records in the league, pending a miracle. They will most likely have a top-three pick in the 2020 NBA Draft, which they can use as trade bait or to actually select a potential superstar. For this instance, they keep the pick and select North Carolina’s Cole Anthony to be the point guard of the future.
Although he is a restricted free agent, the Knicks still could offer Ingram a four-year deal, that either approaches or reaches the max, in hopes of the Pelicans deciding not to match.
Potentially signing Ingram also jeopardizes Kevin Knox‘s role on the team. Knox has shown small signs of improvement in his third year, but Ingram is far superior in every aspect of the game. The Kentucky product should thrive in a sixth-man role for the Knicks, however, since he is basically doing that this year.
Hypothetically, the Pelicans do not match because go in a different direction or feel the price is too high, so the Knicks sign Ingram; and they are still left with a lot of money to spend, which they use to lure a bigger name in 2021.
Potentially signing Ingram could be a good start for the Knicks in hopes of building a championship team. A team of Ingram, Cole Anthony and RJ Barrett is a young core that can catch the attention of a superstar free agent. It worked for the Lakers when LeBron signed in 2018.
Don’t forget about the arena attraction, Madison Square Garden, either in itself. Yes, the ownership and management may not be the best in the NBA, but never rule out a New York team out when it comes to signing a superstar.
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This can start with signing Brandon Ingram. It doesn’t hurt to offer the contract, because you never know. You might get lucky. The Knicks didn’t offer Durant a contract or try a trade package for Anthony Davis, so they can not let this slip. It’s time to make New York basketball great again and that can potentially begin by 2020.