NY Knicks CAA Files: Restricted Free Agents Leon Rose might target

7 Restricted Free Agents with ties to Leon Rose’s former CAA position who could find themselves on the New York Knicks.

The New York Knicks will potentially have up to $50 million in cap room this offseason. The NBA has pondered further restricting the salary cap from $115 million due to COVID-19. Therefore, the Knicks’ cap space can allow the team to potentially retain some of their impending free agents, absorb salary dumps from teams reaching the luxury tax threshold, and/or acquire free agents.

Part 1 of the CAA files explored 7 unrestricted free agents with ties to Creative Artists Agency (CAA), Leon Rose’s former agency. There are, however, some restricted free agents (RFAs) the Knicks should also consider. There are still some players drafted in 2016 that haven’t signed their rookie extensions and are on the verge of entering restricted free agency.

The most coveted RFA is Brandon Ingram, represented by Jeff Schwartz of Excel Sports Management. As for CAA, there aren’t too many high profile RFAs entering free agency in 2020. Most profile as role players and “glue” guys on a basketball roster. Sure, Jakob Poeltl, a CAA client, might be more than a role player in the future, but he isn’t a plausible option for the Knicks at this stage.

With restricted free agency, the Knicks can potentially outbid other suitors who are afraid to go significantly over the cap to retain their own players. There is definitely an upside to consider.

Thus, Part 2 of the CAA Files explores 7 RFAs the Knicks should consider.