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NY Knicks: Re-visiting the 2019 free agent class one year later

By Andrew Pistone

SACRAMENTO, CA - DECEMBER 13: Julius Randle #30 of the New York Knicks smiles during the game against the Sacramento Kings on December 13, 2019 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)
SACRAMENTO, CA - DECEMBER 13: Julius Randle #30 of the New York Knicks smiles during the game against the Sacramento Kings on December 13, 2019 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Mar 11, 2020; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; New York Knicks guard Wayne Ellington (2) wears rubber gloves as he practices before a game against the Atlanta Hawks at State Farm Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports /

Wayne Ellington: 2 Years, $16 Million

Grade: D

Commentary: Unfortunately, this is looking like a dud of a signing, but it was defensible at the time. The Knicks didn’t (and to be honest, still don’t) have too many floor spacers on the roster, and Ellington’s shooting ability could in theory have maintained offensive spacing.

As it turned out, Ellington only shot 35% from downtown in Year One of this deal (and it might be the only year of the deal depending on what the Knicks decide to do with him this offseason), and he also missed considerable time nursing an Achilles injury. From early December through the beginning of February, Ellington only played in 6 out of a possible 29 games, which is not the type of return on investment the front office was looking for.

If a catch-and-shoot player with already limited mobility starts to experience Achilles soreness, it might be time to look elsewhere for reliable help. There was talk before the trade deadline in February 2020 that Ellington could be moved or bought out, but the team wasn’t able to come to terms on a trade or a settlement that would release the former University of North Carolina shooting guard out of his contract.

For what it’s worth, Ellington continued to bring a positive attitude to the team day in and day out, despite his struggles.

"“Wayne has been — he’s the first one in the gym, the last one getting extra shots,’’ former interim coach Mike Miller said via the New York Post. “He’s staying ready. He does extra conditioning. He’s the ultimate pro. He’s talking to the young guys. He’s done everything you can ask a guy to do. It was great to see him getting some time and impacting the game.”"

While Taj Gibson still has a skillset that can benefit the Knicks in this upcoming season, it seems like Ellington’s days in the NBA might be numbered if he can’t get healthy and start to knock down perimeter shots like he did in previous stops around the league.

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