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New York Knicks: The Case for Signing DeMar DeRozan in Free Agency

By Zachary Bachar

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 23: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) DeMar DeRozan #10 of the San Antonio Spurs in action against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on November 23, 2019 in New York City. The Spurs defeated the Knicks 111-104. 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 - NOVEMBER 23: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) DeMar DeRozan #10 of the San Antonio Spurs in action against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on November 23, 2019 in New York City. The Spurs defeated the Knicks 111-104. 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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Aug 7, 2020; Lake Buena Vista, Florida, USA; DeMar DeRozan #10 of the San Antonio Spurs warms up prior to the start of the game against the Utah Jazz at HP Field House. Mandatory Credit: Kevin C. Cox/Pool Photo-USA TODAY Sports /

Knicks: Opportunity to add another finisher

The Knicks have hit such a rough patch because they have failed to execute at the end of close games. Julius Randle is averaging just 2.4 points in clutch situations on ghastly 36.2% shooting. RJ Barrett is shooting much better at 51.1% but is averaging only 2.6 points in those situations as he continues to grow as a scorer.

DeRozan has led his team in clutch points per game in every one of his past six NBA seasons including time spent with the Spurs and Toronto Raptors. That includes this year, where he’s averaging just over 3.8 clutch points per game. No other Spur is averaging more than 1.6.

The Spurs guard has gotten a fair share of his clutch points out of isolation, where he’s still ridiculously efficient. DeRozan currently ranks 15th in the league in isolation points per game, and his field goal percentage (56.4%) is higher than every single player in the top 14.

With the addition of DeRozan and a new starting point guard, opposing defenses can no longer focus solely on Randle and Barrett which could open up opportunities for someone new to be the hero every night.

Speaking of opening up opportunities, DeRozan could help in another huge way…

Knicks: DeRozan would bring added playmaking

In the era of point-forwards and passing bigs, DeRozan has quietly evolved into one of the best playmaking wings in the league. After averaging a modest 4.1 assists per game throughout his time in Toronto, he’s become a primary passing option in San Antonio.

DeRozan has averaged 6.2 assists per game over the last three seasons, including a career-high 7.1 dimes this year. He’s also doing this while averaging just 1.9 turnovers per game, his lowest mark since 2012.

Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich has mostly played DeRozan at power forward this season and it’s helped unlock his passing vision, allowing him to find faster guards on backdoor cuts and at the top of the three-point line coming off screens.

While he’ll likely play small forward if he comes to the Knicks, it helps open up the possibility of Tom Thibodeau utilizing a small-ball lineup with Julius Randle at center and DeRozan at power forward.

The Knicks’ offense is heavily reliant on  Randle, and the team has trouble when he’s not at the top of his game. As a whole team, New York ranks just 29th in assists per game. DeRozan would help relieve some of the playmaking pressure from Randle’s shoulders, contributing to a smoother-flowing offense.

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