The 2023-24 season is right around the corner, and fans are excited as ever to see this New York Knicks squad take the floor. Leon Rose and the front office may not be done making moves. Free agency is far from fresh, but there are still a few free agents left on the market whom the Knicks could potentially sign.
While New York may not have much cap space, they could still bring these guys in with a minimum contract. Whether or not Rose intends to sign an additional player or two, fans should be hopeful that he at least considers bringing in one of these three veterans.
3 free agent veterans the Knicks could sign before the 2023-24 season
3. SF Javonte Green
Unfortunately, we don’t see a world where Javonte Green takes a minimum contract. However, he has somehow gone unsigned throughout the first month and a half of free agency. If he continues to be disrespected by NBA teams, the Knicks should scoop him up to be the team’s 11th man.
Green brings a lot of what the Knicks need next season: three-point shooting and versatile defense. In 32 games last season, Green averaged 5.2 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 0.7 assists per game, shooting 56.5% from the field and 37.1% from beyond the arc on 1.1 attempts.
The biggest problem with Green is that he never seems to stay healthy for an entire season. In his four seasons in the league, Green has played 60+ games just once, which was in 2021-22. This would be a problem if Green were a consistent part of the Knicks’ rotation, but if they sign him, he’s likely to only play if an injury occurs to someone in their rotation.
It will take a lot for this to happen, but if the Knicks can get a player like Green for the minimum, they shouldn’t hesitate. There’s a possibility that Green could play a small-ball four role for New York. The only way to find out is for Rose to bring the 30-year-old in.
2. SG Terrence Ross
Unlike Green, Terrence Ross likely wouldn’t see the floor much (if at all) if the Knicks signed him. While Ross may still be a decent role player, his inconsistencies and shoot first, ask questions later mentality make it hard for a top-tier team to give him a real role. Despite this, Ross could still be a fine addition to the Knicks, taking up Evan Fournier’s role once he’s eventually traded.
Last season, Ross averaged 8.3 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per game, shooting 43.0% from the field and 36.8% from deep on 4.1 attempts. These are solid numbers, but his lack of defense and inconsistencies are likely a turn-off to many NBA teams. This would help explain why he remains unsigned in late August.
However, Ross could still make for a nice depth piece for New York. He wouldn’t see the floor often, but his veteran presence and ability to catch fire on the court could sometimes be very valuable.
Whether or not the Knicks trade Fournier, they should look into signing some extra wing depth. If they opt to do this, Ross could be their best option left. His bright personality would be a welcome addition to the Knicks bench.
1. PF/C JaMychal Green
If signed, there’s a real chance we’ll see JaMychal Green become the new backup power forward for the Knicks. Isaiah Roby may be younger and a fine player, however, Green is a far better fit on both sides of the ball. Not only does Green have a more versatile offensive game, but he’s also a much better defender than Roby.
In 57 games last season, Green averaged 6.4 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 0.9 assists per game, shooting 54% from the field and 37.8% from three on 1.9 attempts. While it may not be on a high volume, Green is a rather efficient scorer and would be a great addition to the Knicks, regardless of if he plays often or not.
The Knicks have needed a genuine floor spacer at the four for quite some time now. While Green may be getting up there in age, he is still a good shooter and has been historically. Entering the 2023-24 season, all the Knicks would need him to do is shoot the ball and play any amount of defense to be an improvement over what they previously had.
If New York wishes to be serious about contending next season, they cannot be running Roby at the backup power forward position. While Green wouldn’t magically solve all of the team’s problems, he’d be a heck of a better player not only statistically, but he’d be a better fit as well.
9 Players the New York Knicks gave up on way too soon
The New York Knicks gave up on these nine players way too soon, chasing win-now options and living to regret it in every case.