According to RealGM’s Keith Smith, the New York Knicks have tendered qualifying offers to their young RFAs Luke Kornet and Isaiah Hicks.
The New York Knicks liked what they saw from Luke Kornet and Isaiah Hicks. According to RealGM’s Keith Smith, New York has tendered qualifying offers to both of the undrafted rookies. They are now restricted free agents meaning the Knicks can match any offer.
The New York Knicks have tendered Qualifying Offers to both of their two-way players: Isaiah Hicks and Luke Kornet. Both players are now restricted free agents. The QO is for a two-way contract for 2018-19, which would be the second for both players.
— Keith Smith (@KeithSmithNBA) June 23, 2018
New York used their G-league team as effectively as any team in the NBA last season. Between rookie Damyean Dotson‘s confidence boost and the emergence of Trey Burke, somebody’s doing something right in Westchester.
Kornet, known for his three-point shooting, disappointed with an average of 35.4 percent from beyond the arc on 4.0 attempts per game. But the 22-year-old showed enough potential from downtown to make bringing him back worth it.
Hicks, 23, impressed more with his rebounding and the way he was able to run the floor. He’s not much of a scorer, but like Kornet it also makes sense to bring him back. Both guys will get a chance in the summer league to show what they can do.
If Enes Kanter decided to opt out of his deal, the Knicks could potentially have a glaring hole in their frontcourt rotation. New York doesn’t figure to be a player in free agency so they could try and promote a replacement for some of Kanter’s minutes from within.
