The latest news, rumors and analysis surrounding the New York Knicks during 2016 NBA Free Agency.
Saturday, July 4:
Lance Thomas and the Knicks agree to a multi-year deal:
Forward Lance Thomas has reached a multi-year agreement to re-sign with Knicks, league source tells @clevelanddotcom.
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) July 4, 2016
According to Vincent Goodwill of CSN Chicago, and confirmed by Marc Stein of ESPN, the New York Knicks are on the verge of agreeing with Brandon Jennings.
Brandon Jennings agrees to deal with the New York Knicks
— Vincent Goodwill (@vgoodwill) July 4, 2016
How did Phil manage to squeeze B-Jenn under the salary cap? Not too sure, but he’s a perfect backup point guard to D-Rose.
Saturday, July 2:
After a continual back and forth, Courtney Lee has decided to sign on with the New York Knicks. His deal is a reported 4-years and $50 million, via Alex Kennedy of Basketball Insiders.
Courtney Lee has agreed to a four-year, $50 million deal with the Knicks.
— Alex Kennedy (@AlexKennedyNBA) July 2, 2016
Ian Begley of ESPN New York reported the Knicks offer to Courtney Lee is four-years with a salary of upwards of $10 million per season.
The Knicks' offer to Courtney Lee is north of $10 million per year for 4 years. More: https://t.co/6uZb6aoktg
— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) July 2, 2016
Per Begley, the Knicks will have at least $12 million in cap space after signing Joakim Noah. The Knicks will be competing with other teams, offering Lee more money.
If Lee decides to play elsewhere, the Knicks have also targeted Eric Gordon and Austin Rivers.
Friday, July 1:
Sources: Free agent guard Eric Gordon has emerged as Knicks' top perimeter target. Sides starting to discuss parameters of a possible deal.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 1, 2016
So much for Courtney Lee. According to Woj, Eric Gordon is the Knicks’ new top target at the shooting guard position. God knows why.
The Knicks are going to have some competition for Lance Thomas‘ services.
According to Josina Anderson of ESPN, Thomas is speaking with Minnesota Timberwolves head coach Tom Thibodeau, as well as a number of other teams. Including the Knicks of course.
Source: #Knicks SF Lance Thomas scheduled a 11:30amEST conference call with T’Wolves head coach Tom Thibodeau this morning.
— Josina Anderson (@JosinaAnderson) July 1, 2016
Source: Teams making preliminary inquiries/calls on #Knicks SF Lance Thomas include OKC, ATL, DEN, DET, PHX, ORL, BKN, MIN, & his own NYK.
— Josina Anderson (@JosinaAnderson) July 1, 2016
Per ESPN, Phil Jackson said he expects to re-sign both Thomas and Langston Galloway.
Thomas expressed a desire to return to the Knicks.
“I love New York,” Thomas said. “I really don’t know what’s going to happen, to be honest. I love New York, I’m from the area. If it works out that way, I’d love to come back.”
Shams Charania of The Vertical reported that the Knicks are targeting Courtney Lee as their starting shooting guard. They will meet with Lee on Friday.
Shams Charania of The Vertical reported that the Knicks are working on a deal with Joakim Noah in the range of four years, $70M-plus.
Vertical Sources: Joakim Noah and the New York Knicks are in discussions on the framework of a deal in range of four years, $70M-plus.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 1, 2016
Per Charania, the framework of the deal will be worked out during negotiations Friday in Orlando.
The Knicks and Noah plan to meet in Orlando on Friday to continue negotiations, sources tell The Vertical. Framework needs to be finalized.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 1, 2016
Thursday, Jun. 30:
It seems like a certainty that Joakim Noah will sign with the New York Knicks. But what about that wing player?
According to ESPN, the Knicks will get a phone interview with top swingman Nicolas Batum.
The Knicks will get a phone interview with Nic Batum, who is likely to command max – or near max – money. https://t.co/KAVcEddQvf
— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) June 30, 2016
NBA Free Agency is coming. The process starts at 12:01 am Friday and it’s going to be wild. With the salary cap spike every team will be spending money, including the Knicks.
This offseason is make or break for Phil Jackson. He had no draft picks to work with, and Derrick Rose isn’t a long term solution at point guard. Free agency is Jackson’s best chance to improve the roster.
Jackson failed in free agency last summer. He was brought in here to recruit top talents to New York. The thought of it happening is so laughable now, we’ve forgotten about that.
