Free agency is here, and for fans of the New York Knicks, this is typically the time of year when a sub-.500 team fantasies about adding a superstar talent to revamp their return to basketball greatness.
While there is no shortage of Knicks-related rumors churning, this offseason does feel distinctly different. New York is no longer the punchline of the basketball world. The franchise is fresh off a 41-31 regular season record while earning home-court advantage in the first round of the postseason.
The team is also less reliant on the addition of a LeBron James-caliber superstar. While such a move would certainly be welcomed, the Knicks have a solid core in place. Julius Randle as emerged as an All-Star. RJ Barrett is developing into the type of player many hoped he would become. And pieces like Mitchell Robinson, Immanuel Quickley, and Kevin Knox represent enormous potential for further growth.
The team maintained their depth by agreeing to deals with veterans Derrick Rose, Nerlens Noel, Taj Gibson, and Alec Burks. Each player played a key role in New York’s success last season. They did lose sharpshooter Reggie Bullock to the Dallas Mavericks but quickly filled the void with their most notable signing so far: veteran Evan Fournier.
While the French star does not carry the star power of a player like Chris Paul, Kyle Lowry, or DeMar DeRozan, he should be a welcomed addition for a Knicks squad that lacked shot creators last season. Here are three reasons fans should be excited to have Fournier in NYC: