The New York Knicks are reportedly interested in a couple of veteran point guard free agents, but will they be able to afford them?
Here we go again. The New York Knicks will be looking for a point guard this summer. According to Ian Begley of ESPN New York, they already have some targets in mind.Begley writes that some in the Knicks organization see Jrue Holiday and Jeff Teague as targets in free agency. The team was already linked with both players in the past.
Holiday and his brother Justin, a key reserve on the Knicks 2016-17 squad and also a free agent, could reunite and play together in the Association for the first time next season. New York could be the destination.
Teague was viewed as a trade target since all the way back when he was with the Hawks in Jan. 2016.
New York has a couple of point guards in mind come draft time. Both of them have been linked to the team for a long time. Per Begley, the Knicks like Kentucky’s De’Aaron Fox and French prospect Frank Ntilikina.
Ntilikina made news when he worked out in Carmelo Anthony’s gym, and Fox became a fan favorite after his gritty play in the NCAA Tournament.
Begley also writes that the Knicks are going to have trouble signing a maximum contract player with their estimated salary cap number of $19 million.
With Jrue Holiday projected as a max player convincing him to come to New York could be an even more challenging task than initially thought. That number will fluctuate depending on whether they trade Melo which could free up space for a new prospect.
Priority No. 1 in free agency is Derrick Rose, though. The incumbent point guard could take up all of New York’s cap room if they decide to bring him back.
The former MVP’s lack of chemistry with Kristaps Porzingis will factor in the decision-making process.