3 Players the NY Knicks should consider re-signing

NY Knicks: Nerlens Noel has provided the team with elite defense

One of the key players that the Knicks need to strongly consider resigning is Nerlens Noel. Noel has far outplayed his one-year 5 million dollar contract and is definitely in due of a raise. He’s truly one of the elite defensive centers in the league. He ranks 4th in the league in blocks per game at 2.1 a game, a very impressive feat considering he only plays 23 minutes a game. He also ranks 2nd in the NBA in block percentage and 1st in the NBA in defensive plus-minus.

At 6’11 with a long 7’4 wingspan, Noel is extremely difficult for driving players to score over at the rim. His excellent rim protection, along with his rebounding, has been a huge reason the Knicks are such a great defensive team. His amazing play has been especially crucial in the absence of Mitchell Robinson, who has only played 31 games this year. His presence on the team has kept the Knick’s defense afloat when Mitch isn’t playing, and when they’re both healthy, the Knicks legitimately have 48 minutes of elite rim protection.

Nerlens Noel has his flaws. He still struggles at the free-throw line, and his ability to catch any pass thrown his way leaves a lot to be desired, but what he does on the defensive end makes him invaluable to this team. The Knicks will likely have to give Noel a significant pay raise to bring him back but if they were smart they would give Noel a multi-year deal to return to the Knicks as their backup center.