thelesterlee
Free agency starts on July 1st which means we’re only a few days from my favorite time of year.
The time when I sit outside on a nice day, refreshing my Twitter feed as Woj and Shams take turns leaking where every player is signing.
Let’s specifically focus on the New York Knicks who are currently waiting on Josh Hart to decide whether or not he’s opting into his contract for next year which could be the difference of about $12 million in mid-level exception money the team can throw around.
The good news is not many teams have cap space so a lot more players will be available to take the mid-level exception this summer.
It’s either take the minimum or like, move to Detroit.
Here are the 4 players the Knick should target in free agency:
1. Donte DiVincenzo
Fuck it.
The Knicks should just go full Villavona Wildcats and bring in all of Jalen Brunson’s former teammates.
Brunson is already playing with Josh Hart.
He’s being coached by his father.
His former agent is now his boss.
Turn the New York Knicks into Jalen Brunson’s Truman Show.
Donte DiVincenzo shot 39% from 3 last season.
That would make him the 2nd best perimeter shooter on the team behind his boy, Brunson.
Immanuel Quickley and DiVincenzo coming off the bench hitting 3’s in everyone’s face would be the dream.
2. Bruce Brown
I recognize every team should be calling Bruce Brown but I’d be remiss if I didn’t include the Knicks in the Brown sweepstakes.
He’d basically fit in the role Josh Hart played last season except Brown is just better at it.
I understand why Knicks fans like Hart and as I said earlier, let’s create Brunsons’ dream team but Bruce Brown is a better shooter, playmaker and commits wats fewer dumb fouls than Hart.
Also, my man is coming off a ring.
I really do believe that shit matters.
Having a guy in the locker room who knows what it feels like in the biggest situations who can speak in the locker room or talk in the huddle when the pressure is its greatest and Julius Randle is trying to square up with a scorekeeper or assistant coach.
3. Joe Ingles
Prior to tearing his ACL at the beginning of the 2021-22 NBA season, Ingles was a crucial player on a Utah Jazz team that was in playoff contention year after year.
He’ll be 36 years old when next season begins but I love having a veteran on the bench giving little advice where he can.
Joe Ingles can be a much cheaper Evan Fournier.
Plus, if he happens to get some playing time, he can still get a little busy.
Last season with Milwaukee, Ingles shot 40% from 3.
The Knicks need more guys who can shoot 3’s consistently and fewer guys who are Obi Toppin.
4. Kevin Love
Speaking of veterans and guys who are better shooters than Obi Toppin, Kevin Love has entered the chat.
I know it sort of felt like Kevin Love missed every single jumper in the playoffs with the Heat and it’s highly possible he’s washed but look, the Knicks don’t have a lot of spending money and there aren’t many stretch 4’s available this summer.
At some point, we’re going to need to have a conversation about Obi Toppin and his ceiling on this Knicks team.
Perhaps he can excel in a different role in a different rotation playing alongside different players.
But on this Knicks team, Toppin jogging out there for quick 3-minute stretches and missing every jumper he takes isn’t the best use of anyone’s time.
Kevin Love can do that off the bench without the added stress of playing for his future the way Obi is.
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