NY Knicks: Grading every Steve Mills transaction, Part 1

Signed Ron Baker to multi-year deal

GRADE: D+

Nobody tried harder to showcase the unique value of Ron Baker than me. Knicks Film School started and ended on Ron Baker highlight videos. The Wichita State alum was never short of energy on the floor. Unfortunately, he didn’t have the talent to justify a two-year, $8.9 million contract. Oh, and did I mention the second year was a PLAYER option?!

Baker was a favorite of Jeff Hornacek, so perhaps this signing was a favor to the coach who saw himself in Baker’s work ethic. But there’s no excuse for paying the amount the Knicks did to secure his services, while also giving him an extra year.

In nearly three seasons with the Knicks, you can add up Baker’s averages in points (3.3), rebounds (1.5), and assists (1.8) and still not reach 8.9, as in the amount Steve Mills handed him in millions to play for the Knicks.

There were games, particularly against Brooklyn, when Baker showed how tenacity and a nose for the ball can manifest into winning plays on the floor. But signed as a point guard, as someone who struggles to handle the ball, and for an amount that is unjustifiable, like Baker’s work ethic or not, this was a bad signing.