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Knicks Rumors: Pros and cons of pursuing Christian Wood in free agency

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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NEW YORK, NEW YORK – MARCH 06: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) New York Knicks president Leon Rose (C) watches his team play against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Madison Square Garden on March 06, 2020 in New York City. The Thunder defeated the Knicks 126-103. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – MARCH 06: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) New York Knicks president Leon Rose (C) watches his team play against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Madison Square Garden on March 06, 2020 in New York City. The Thunder defeated the Knicks 126-103. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /

Con: Conserving Cap Space For 2021

There’s a genuine possibility that the New York Knicks could sign Christian Wood and help him realize his true potential. In that scenario, Wood would bottom out as a 3-and-D big man who can protect the rim, space the floor, and crash the boards.

There’s also a possibility that Wood doesn’t quite live up to the hype, however, which would go a long way towards damaging the Knicks’ odds of signing a big-name free agent in 2021.

It’s certainly possible for the Knicks to hand out a relatively big contract this coming summer and still sign a marquee player in 2021. That would depend almost entirely on Wood’s quality of play during the 2020-21 season, however, as stars generally don’t sign with teams that have an albatross of a contract.

That’s especially true about New York, which has been desperately working to change its perception and reputation around the NBA.

This is admittedly the risk of signing anyone, but Wood could have leverage during the 2020 period of free agency. Big men are often overpaid in an NBA where there aren’t many great power forwards or centers. Teams are desperate to exploit some type of advantage down low, and will pay to do so.

Combined with the uncertainty that COVID-19 has presented, Wood may end up being too costly for the Knicks to succeed in signing him.

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