The New York Knicks have a path to making some major cap space this NBA free agency. Let’s take a look at a few surprise players the New York Knicks could target.
The New York Knicks need help. The current cast in the Big Apple has only managed to produce a 17-40 record. While the 2020 NBA free agency class may lack in big names, they do have a few under-the-radar targets for the New York Knicks to target.
Lets jump right in.
Fred VanVleet
Fred VanVleet will be the biggest name that makes this list. The reason why I consider him under the radar is because few fans would expect VanVleet to leave Toronto. I believe the possibility of VanVleet leaving Canada is higher than most believe.
Fred VanVleet is having a career year heading into unrestricted free agency. The point guard is playing a career high 35.8 minutes a night averaging 17.7 points, 6.7 assist and 1.9 steals a game.
Fred VanVleet has been one of the main reasons the Toronto Raptors have been so successful this season without Kawahi Leonard. Holden Walter-Warner of HoopsHabit examined in December if the Raptors would be able to afford to keep Fred VanVleet.
"“Another name the projection throws out, however, was Malcolm Brogdon. Brogdon recently hit free agency for the first time, defecting from the Milwaukee Bucks to the Indiana Pacers. He signed a four-year, $85 million deal with the Pacers following a sign-and-trade.”"
“Another name the projection throws out, however, was Malcolm Brogdon. Brogdon recently hit free agency for the first time, defecting from the Milwaukee Bucks to the Indiana Pacers. He signed a four-year, $85 million deal with the Pacers following a sign-and-trade.”
Warner would go on and explain that the Raptors have the cap space to sign Fred VanVleet this summer but it would come at the expense of at almost all portion of the Raptors cap space. The Raptors only have 4 players under contracts for next season who are averaging over 5 points a game. Excluding Malcom Miller, the Raptors other 5 free agents average over 24 minutes a game.
Fred VanVleet has said “in a perfect world” he would return to Toronto. The fan base loves VanVleet and VanVleet loves the fans, but everyone knows things can be far from perfect in the NBA.
The New York Knicks would be able to lock up a top 10 scoring point guard in the league just as they’re about to enter their prime. VanVleet would become the unquestioned starter at point guard, some the New York Knicks haven’t had in years.
VanVleet’s shooting touch allows him to play shooting guard as well so he could hypothetically play with Elfrid Payton and any of the other New York Knicks point guards who survive this offseason.
The Knicks have the cap space to make a run at Fred VanVleet, and with the Raptors having so many holes to fill in their rotation retaining their blossoming star may not be in their future.