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Knicks Rumors: New York has interest in signing Christian Wood

By Maxwell Ogden

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 08: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Christian Wood #35 of the Detroit Pistons in action against Taj Gibson #67 of the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on March 08, 2020 in New York City. The Knicks defeated the Pistons 96-84. 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. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 08: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Christian Wood #35 of the Detroit Pistons in action against Taj Gibson #67 of the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on March 08, 2020 in New York City. The Knicks defeated the Pistons 96-84. 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. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /
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According to a recent report, the New York Knicks are interested in signing current Detroit Pistons big man Christian Wood come free agency.

The New York Knicks will enter the 2020 period of NBA free agency with an abundance of cap space. A number of players signed in 2019 were inked to one-year deals, and the core of the current roster continue to play on their rookie deals.

As such, it should come as no surprise that the Knicks are already expressing interest in pending free agents who could provide short-term and long-term value.

New York has made it clear that its primary focus is on the 2021 period of free agency, when a number of big names will hit the open market. That list ranges from former league MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo to productive 2-guard CJ McCollum.

According to Ian Begley of SNY, there’s a name on the 2020 open market whom the Knicks are interested in ahead of the 2021 festivities: Detroit Pistons power forward Christian Wood.

"Regardless of what happens with the salary cap amid the coronavirus crisis, we know the Knicks are going to have money to spend in free agency.While it’s way too early to know who they’ll target, it’s worth noting that some in the Knicks’ front office are enamored with Detroit’s Christian Wood."

Begley made it a point to state that it’s too early to know what New York will actually do, but it’s easy to see why Wood has enticed the front office.

Despite generating a decent amount of pre-draft fanfare, Wood went undrafted in 2015. He’s since played for five NBA teams, as well as making four stints in the G League, which had previously resulted in the belief that he wouldn’t live up to his intriguing potential.

Throughout the 2019-20 regular season, however, Wood has displayed the traits of a high-quality power forward at the NBA level.

That’s led the Knicks to believe that he could be a young player worth investing in during the 2020 period of free agency.

Still just 24 years of age, Wood is averaging 13.1 points and 6.3 rebounds in just 21.4 minutes per game. That translates to averages of 22.0 points and 10.6 rebounds per 36 minutes, which is made even more impressive by his efficient slash line of .567/.386/.744.

That includes averages of 26.6 points and 9.4 rebounds per game during the five March games that preceded the NBA’s leaguewide shutdown.

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Only time will tell if the New York Knicks will actually sign Christian Wood, but the interest is certainly understandable.

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