New York Knicks Interested In Free Agents Like Courtney Lee (Report)
Apr 7, 2017; Memphis, TN, USA; New York Knicks guard Courtney Lee (5) reacts on the court during the second half against the Memphis Grizzlies at FedExForum. The Grizzlies won 101-88. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports

The New York Knicks will be looking for free agents this summer who play the game like incumbent shooting guard Courtney Lee.

The New York Knicks spent $125 million in free agency last summer on three players: Joakim Noah, Brandon Jennings, and Courtney Lee. They subsequently traded for former MVP Derrick Rose to run the offense.

A revamped roster was meant to help the team make a run to the playoffs, but only Lee lived up to expectations.

It’s no surprise they want to bring in free agents this summer who play the game like him. According to Ian Begley of ESPN New York, they’re looking at three-and-D wing players and Lee is one of the best of his era.

The names Begley mentions are Toronto’s P.J. Tucker, San Antonio’s Jonathon Simmons, and New Orleans’ Dante Cunningham.

The Knicks were linked to Tucker (he played for Hornacek in Phoenix) before the trade deadline when he was moved to Toronto. He’s not the three-point shooter that Lee is, but the 32-year-old is one of the more underrated defenders in the league.

Tucker has said nothing but good things about Hornacek since the coach was fired in Phoenix. The hard-nosed defender went as far as calling Hornacek an “amazing coach.” It’s a good fit.

Simmons is a restricted free agent (meaning San Antonio can match any offer) so it will be tough for New York to get him.

Cunningham, on the other hand, is unrestricted and free to sign anywhere. The 30-year-old journeyman had his best season from beyond the arc in 2016-17, converting at a 39.7 percent clip. He launched 181 shots from downtown.

Before this season, he was at a career number of 26.9 percent. In 2015-16, Cunningham chucked up 174 shots from deep but converted at a 31.6 percent clip. Before 2015-16, Cunningham had only attempted 38 threes in his entire career. He was 2-of-38 in six seasons.

That’s called a steady improvement.

Per Begley, the Knicks also hope to retain Justin Holiday. Apparently, they have competition for the role players services.

 
I'm ESNY's Executive Editor for EliteSportsNY.com. I cover the New York Knicks and Brooklyn Nets. Email: chip.murphy@elitesportsny.com Chip Murphy covers the NBA for Elite Sports NY. You can find him on Twitter @ChipperMurphy.