Daily Knicks
Fansided

3 under the radar free agent options Knicks can pursue

By Chris Gallagher

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 02: Frank Ntilikina #11 of the New York Knicks in action against the Houston Rockets at Madison Square Garden on March 02, 2020 in New York City. 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. New York Knicks defeated the Houston Rockets 125-123. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 02: Frank Ntilikina #11 of the New York Knicks in action against the Houston Rockets at Madison Square Garden on March 02, 2020 in New York City. 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. New York Knicks defeated the Houston Rockets 125-123. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 4
Next
New York Knicks, Orlando Magic, Mo Bamba
Mo Bamba, Orlando Magic. (Photo by Andrew Wevers/USA TODAY Sports) – New York Knicks /

1. Mohamed Bamba

New York should pursue Mohamed Bamba aggressively if Robinson leaves the Knicks this summer.

Bamba is a rim protector who has shown signs of improvement and could possibly need a change of scenery. I have already mentioned that New York can’t afford to lose Robinson, but if he gets a $20 million per year deal, the Knicks should probably let him walk.

Bamba is stuck on an Orlando Magic team whose best player has been Wendell Carter Jr., a big man who causes a cluster of big men on the floor at the Amway Center. Bamba is a Harlem native, and growing up as a New York fan, him living out his childhood dream could benefit his game.

The Knicks have struggled to have court spacing throughout the years, and Bamba has shown a willingness and ability to be a consistent shooter from beyond the arc. He shot 38% from the 3-point line this past season, plus he averaged almost 2 blocks per game while being pretty athletic, so he’d be an intriguing piece for Barrett to work with.

For NBA centers who shot over 0.5 threes per game in 2021-22, Bamba shot the second-highest percentage from deep, only behind Karl-Anthony Towns, who won the 2022 Three-Point Contest.

I have wanted to see New York run a five-out lineup, and if Robinson walks, I would love to see the Knicks move on from Noel and sign Bamba. He would probably sign on a four-year, $30 million type deal, which could become a steal in the long run.