It’s not essentially Jalen Brunson or bust.
Whereas the Mavericks free agent is clearly the Knicks’ high goal to fill their cavernous gap at level guard, there are different choices on the market to enhance the group now that they've cleared almost $20 million of cap area and are planning to create much more.
The Submit’s Zach Braziller breaks down another prospects because the free company interval nears:
Malcolm Brogdon
The Pacers have put the 29-year-old lead guard on the commerce block now that they've younger backcourt gamers to construct round, akin to Tyrese Haliburton and first-round choose Bennedict Mathurin. Brogdon is attainable for the Knicks.
The previous Virginia star has been a productive participant all through his six-year NBA profession, averaging 15.5 factors, 4.8 assists and capturing 37.6 p.c from 3-point vary.
He does include damage threat. Brogdon solely appeared in 36 video games final 12 months and hasn’t appeared in additional than 64 contests in a single season since his rookie 12 months. He’s additionally costly. He's owed $22.6 million in 2022-23, and $22.5 million every of the next two seasons, in line with Spotrac.
Dejounte Murray
He's by far probably the most unlikely of the choices on this record, and it might take a haul. The rebuilding Spurs, nevertheless, are prepared to maneuver Murray for a number of first-round picks, in line with Bleacher Report. The Knicks personal 11 first-round picks over the subsequent seven years, and as many as 4 in subsequent 12 months’s draft.
The 6-foot-4 guard can be a franchise-changer, and taking part in Murray alongside RJ Barrett would give coach Tom Thibodeau one of many higher backcourts within the league. Murray is coming off an exceptional season, by which he posted 21.1 factors, 9.2 assists and eight.3 rebounds and continues to be solely 25 years outdated with two years left on his contract.
Tyus Jones
The previous Duke standout has carved out a robust function for himself with the Grizzlies, rising this 12 months as a key piece to probably the greatest younger rosters within the league. As a free agent, Jones could now be capable to money in.
A top quality defender who hardly ever turns the ball over himself, he’s coming off the very best season of his profession, one by which he notched profession highs in scoring (8.7), rebounds (2.4) and 3-point capturing (39.0 p.c) in simply 21.2 minutes per sport. His numbers have been even higher when Ja Morant was out and his function expanded, the 6-foot Jones notching 12.7 factors and 6.6 assists in 23 video games.
With Memphis touchdown Kennedy Chandler of Tennessee within the NBA draft, Jones is probably going headed for a brand new group.
Ricky Rubio
As with Brogdon, there are damage considerations. He's coming off a torn ACL and is a bit lengthy within the tooth, on the age of 31. However he's a real level guard who can actually run a group, which the Knicks have clearly lacked for years.
Rubio was having a terrific season final 12 months for the Cavaliers earlier than getting damage, producing 13.1 factors and 6.6 assists. The Knicks may give him a light-weight workload, rotating in Derrick Rose, Immanuel Quickley and Miles “Deuce” McBride on the level.
Kyle Anderson
He’s an area man, hailing from Fairview, N.J., and wouldn’t be too costly. The 6-foot-9 Anderson isn’t a star — his finest season got here in 2020-21 with the Grizzlies when he averaged 12.4 factors, 5.7 rebounds and three.6 assists — however he does a number of issues properly.
Maybe most significantly for the Knicks, the free-agent ahead defends and generally is a secondary playmaker. This previous season, he produced a defensive score of 106, tied for the very best on Memphis.
It wouldn’t be a splashy transfer, however could possibly be efficient, significantly if the Knicks are unable to land a brand new level guard and will use extra high-level passers.
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