Daily Knicks
Fansided

3 Atlantic Division free agents Knicks should consider adding

By Jerry Trotta

PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 10: Tobias Harris #12 of the Philadelphia 76ers high fives Shake Milton #18 against the Detroit Pistons at the Wells Fargo Center on April 10, 2022 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The 76ers defeated the Pistons 118-106. 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 Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 10: Tobias Harris #12 of the Philadelphia 76ers high fives Shake Milton #18 against the Detroit Pistons at the Wells Fargo Center on April 10, 2022 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The 76ers defeated the Pistons 118-106. 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 Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /
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New York Knicks, Toronto Raptors, Thaddeus Young
Thaddeus Young, Toronto Raptors. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) – New York Knicks /

1. Thaddeus Young

The Raptors surprised fans when they unloaded a first-round pick for Thaddeus Young at the trade deadline, but the jokes quickly turned to praise given the impact the 33-year-old veteran had on Nick Nurse’s squad.

While Young is a candidate to re-sign with Toronto, the Knicks are financially equipped to make him an offer that’d be tough to turn down. After all, they’re projected to have the sixth-most cap space of any team.

Young just feels like a classic fit with Tom Thibodeau. He doesn’t offer much offensively, but he’s efficient and averaged more than 10 points per game in 13 consecutive seasons before 2021-2022 when he averaged less than 20 minutes for the first time in his career.

Even better? Young is an impactful interior defender. The Raptors surrendered 3.4 fewer points per 100 possessions when he was on the floor this season and the Knicks could really use another forward who can defend multiple positions.

The Knicks’ power forward rotation is a little clunky right now with Julius Randle, Obi Toppin and Taj Gibson all under contract, but that could change in a pinch if Randle got traded. Additionally, Gibson’s salary isn’t guaranteed, so the front office could easily justify dumping his salary.