The New York Knicks off season may have just taken a turn for the better. Arron Afflalo and Derrick Williams will be testing free agency.
Arron Afflalo and Derrick Williams have each informed the New York Knicks they will become unrestricted free agents this summer, ESPN.com has reported.
Afflalo averaged 12.8 points on .443 shooting in his lone season with the Knicks. He found himself benched for Sasha Vujacic down the latter end of the season. Afflalo was due to make $8 million next year.
Williams averaged 9.3 points through 80 games with the Knicks last season. He will pass on his $4.8 million player option for the 2016-17 season, but Yahoo! reported New York “will still have an interest in signing Williams to a new deal.”
Sources have told Elite Sports NY that Williams worked out with Knicks coach Jeff Hornacek, as well as Carmelo Anthony and other teammates last week.
NBA teams were sent a memo that the 2016-17 salary cap is now projected at $94 million. Afflalo and Williams testing free agency gives New York more than $30 million to sign free agents this summer.
A max contract for a player with seven-to-nine years experience, like Kevin Durant, would cost New York $26.4 million next season.
Afflalo & Williams not picking up their options will give NYK more than $30 million in cap space. @MikeAScotto 1st reported Afflalo.
— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) June 21, 2016
Knicks officials have publicly addressed the team’s need to add a point guard to the roster.
Mike Conley, Rajon Rondo and Jeremy Lin top this summer’s class of unrestricted free agents. New York has also internally discussed trading for Chicago Bulls PG Derrick Rose.
Kristian Winfield covers the New York Knicks for ESNY. You can start the conversation on Twitter @Krisplashed.
