Start, Sit, or Cut: Knicks free agent point guard edition
By Allen Settle
The New York Knicks face an offseason of uncertainty. The franchise has serious questions about Tom Thibodeau’s future as head coach, their biggest star Julius Randle, their overall roster makeup, and the development of their young players.
A recent Daily Knicks article looking at the top 10 point guards of the past decade showed the club’s desperate need to find a stable solution to one of the game’s most important positions.
Perhaps, New York will look to either the draft or the trade market for a sustainable solution to this revolving door of mediocrity. However, should the franchise elect to turn their attention to free agency, they must be cautious in their approach.
Will the New York Knicks sign a point guard in free agency?
Superstar talents like James Harden and Kyrie Irving are set to become restricted free agents this summer. Yet, barring an unforeseen swing, neither truly appears to be available. This leaves an interesting mix of talent left on the open market.
The Knicks would be wise to consider some of these names. But who should they prioritize? Let’s play a game of start, sit, or cut: free agent point guard edition!
Start: Jalen Brunson
Jalen Brunson-to-the-Knicks rumors have been gaining traction for quite some time. The small guard’s profile seems to be at an all-time high after a breakout performance in the Mavericks’ first-round playoff series against the Jazz.
Multiple reports indicate that the former Villanova star will be seeking something in the range of a 4-year, $80 million deal this offseason.
While the price tag is high, the talent is also apparent. Brunson is enjoying career-highs across the board, averaging 16.3 points per game, 4.8 assists, and 3.9 rebounds on 50% shooting from the field and 37% from three.
In six games against a defense-heavy Utah team, Brunson carried his team by posting a blistering 27.8 points per contest. His scoring ability is clear.
Brunson’s presence in New York could finally solve the club’s long search for a starting-level point guard. I am a firm believer in Brunson’s ability to score. And I’m encouraged by his passing ability.
At just 25-years-old, the former second-round pick also has plenty of room to continue growing and developing.
His combination of youth and upside makes him worth the contract gamble. I’m here for Brunson as the Knicks’ starting PG in 2023.
Sit: Tyus Jones
Should New York fail in its efforts to land Brunson, there is one pivot that also makes sense. Grizzlies backup Tyus Jones could also be a stopgap as the Knicks’ floor general. While the Mavericks option would likely fill the starting role, Jones is best suited as a heavily used backup.
Jones’ presence on Memphis has proven quite valuable. In fact, the club managed to win 20 of their 24 games in which superstar Ja Morant did not suit up.
This level of success without their best player is truly rare in the NBA. And it is no coincidence that such success fell to a franchise with one of the most consistent backup PGs in the league.
The 25-year-old already has seven NBA seasons under his belt and offers an uncommon combination of youthfulness and veteran experience. If New York was serious about giving starting minutes to either Derrick Rose or Immanuel Quickly, Jones would be a great fit as the club’s sixth man.
Cut: All Other Unrestricted Free Agents
Should these top two options sign elsewhere, the Knicks would be wise to pivot away from the remaining names as rotation options. Portland’s Anfernee Simons is young, largely unproven, and is a restricted free agent.
Ricky Rubio is 31-years-old, is coming off an ACL tear, and has been playing high-level basketball since making the Spanish ACB league at age 14. That’s a lot of miles!
Other options such as Delon Wright or Dennis Schroeder lean more toward fringe depth pieces than long-term solutions. New York’s best play would be to seek PG help from another source.
