3 Low-cost free agents the Knicks could target this summer
1. C Naz Reid
This is easily the biggest longshot of the names previously listed. Not only is Naz Reid likely to receive a somewhat hefty contract due to his potential, but who knows if he will even leave the Timberwolves this offseason.
Despite this, Reid is the kind of player the Knicks should make moves to attempt signing. This includes trading Fournier, declining Rose’s player option, and potentially trading Mitchell Robinson to both free up cap space and minutes for Reid.
People will likely argue this, but Reid is a better player than Robinson. While Robinson is likely better defensively, the gap offensively between the two is not even close. The spacing and overall offensive game Reid would bring to the table are a thousand times more valuable than what Robinson currently gives the Knicks.
The talent Reid has on both sides of the ball is painfully obvious and teams will likely jump on the opportunity of capitalizing on this talent during the offseason. It is incredibly unfortunate that Reid has been held back by the Timberwolves due to having both Karl Anthony-Towns and Rudy Gobert filling in at center/power forward in the starting lineup. It is even more unfortunate that Reid suffered a broken wrist in Wednesday’s loss to Phoenix and will be out indefinitely.
In just 18.4 minutes a game during the regular season, Reid averaged an incredible 11.5 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 0.8 blocks in 68 games, shooting 53.7% from the field and 34.6% from deep on 3.2 attempts. Averaging about 11 points in 18 minutes a game is just absurd for any player, let alone an undrafted center on a team with two other All-Stars at his position.
When compared to Robinson, who averages just 7.2 points, 9.0 rebounds, and 1.7 blocks in about 10 more minutes a game, it’s rather clear who the better player is. While Robinson’s rebounding is important, Reid would likely average the same amount of boards in the same role while playing similar minutes.
It may be a long shot, but signing a player like Reid could potentially allow the Knicks to make a legitimate jump on both sides of the ball.
