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NY Knicks: 4 former players who could return in free agency

By Zachary Bachar

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - DECEMBER 01: Danilo Gallinari #8 of the Oklahoma City Thunder stands on the court during a NBA game against the New Orleans Pelicans at Smoothie King Center on December 01, 2019 in New Orleans, Louisiana. 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 Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - DECEMBER 01: Danilo Gallinari #8 of the Oklahoma City Thunder stands on the court during a NBA game against the New Orleans Pelicans at Smoothie King Center on December 01, 2019 in New Orleans, Louisiana. 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 Sean Gardner/Getty Images) /
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Sep 30, 2019; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves forward Noah Vonleh (1) poses for pictures during media day at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports /

2) Former Knicks who could return: Noah Vonleh

The Knicks have many options to explore when free agency begins. They could take on an opposing team’s bad contract and obtain future draft picks as a result, or they could look to sign an enticing free agent such as Fred VanVleet or Davis Bertans.

If the team ends up going on either of these routes, they’ll need to fill out the rest of the roster with players on cheap contracts. That’s where Noah Vonleh comes in.

Vonleh was one of the lone bright spots of the 17-win 2019 season. He averaged 8.4 points and 7.8 rebounds per game while shooting 47 percent from the field and 34 percent from behind the arc. His defense was also superb as he was regularly holding his own against matchups such as Giannis Antetokounmpo, Pascal Siakam, and Ben Simmons.

However, the front office let him walk in free agency to bring in Julius Randle as the team’s new starting power forward. Vonleh never found his footing after leaving New York, averaging just 10.5 minutes per game in 36 appearances this past season.

His free agency value is extremely low, and he’s still just 25-years-old. If the Knicks use the bulk of their cap space in free agency/trades, Vonleh could be a solid replacement for Bobby Portis on the bench.

With his job security on the ropes, general manager Scott Perry might want to bring back one of his better free agent signings to help wash out the bad taste of the 2019 free agency class. Vonleh also seems like the type of defense-first player that head coach Tom Thibodeau would absolutely adore.

He wouldn’t be the flashiest signing but, similar to his playing style, he doesn’t have to be.