3 free agents the Knicks should start thinking about right now
By Scott Rogust
With the New York Knicks on the brink of elimination, here are three free agents they should consider adding to improve their chances next season.
The New York Knicks have a lot they should be commended for this season. They not only managed to clinch a playoff spot, but also the fourth-seed and home court advantage. However, the wheels have quickly fell off following their huge Game 2 win.
On Sunday, the Knicks lost 113-96 to Atlanta to push them to a win or go home Game 5 this Wednesday night at Madison Square Garden. This playoff run showed that they still have a ways to go if they want to make a push for contention in the Eastern Conference. From adding a legitimate point guard to their starting rotation, to signing some credible scorers, there is plenty the Knicks can do to make the leap next season.
Here are three free agents the Knicks should consider signing this offseason.
NBA Rumors: New York Knicks free agent targets in 2021
3. Mike Conley, PG
It is no secret that the Knicks are in need of a starting-caliber point guard. This is no knock on Derrick Rose, who has been phenomenal for the Knicks in the playoffs. Rather, Rose thrived when coming off the bench, and the depth took a massive hit once he was placed in the tarting lineup for Game 3 against the Hawks.
Mike Conley would be a spectacular add for the Knicks.
Conley has been a consistently good player throughout his NBA career. In his 12 seasons with the Memphis Grizzlies, Conley averaged 14.9 points, 5.7 assists, 3.0 rebounds and 1.5 steals while holding a cumulative field goal percentage of 44.1. While Conley’s numbers did drop off in the 2019-20, his first with the Utah Jazz, Conley has thrived this campaign.
In 51 games with the Jazz, Conley averaged 16.2 points, 6.0 assists, 3.5 rebounds and 1.4 steals while shooting 44.4-percent from the field and a career-high 41.2-percent from the three-point line.
It might be hard for the Knicks to convince Conley to leave a championship contender in the Jazz, but a hefty, long-term contract may be enough to convince him to move to New York.