The New York Knicks could look to add more bench depth even after the signing of veteran guard Cam Payne earlier this week. While they already have one of the deepest rotations in the league, the idea that they can continue to load up at key positions to place themselves in true title contention is very possible.
Bleacher Report’s Zach Buckley listed three free agents the Knicks could sign to add depth, with former All-Star forward Gordon Hayward being one of them.
“Jalen Brunson is a certified star, and Julius Randle has produced at All-Star levels, but New York’s support players don’t have a ton of go-get-us-a-bucket in their game,” Buckley wrote. “Now, it’s entirely possible that Gordon Hayward wouldn’t change that—not as a 34-year-old who hasn’t topped 52 games in any of the past five seasons. If a minimum deal is doable, though, that’s a low-percentage shot worth taking.”
Gordon Hayward’s career is declining
As Buckley noted, Hayward’s age and recent injury history are certainly risks that the Knicks’ would have to be willing to take. Last season saw his production drastically decline, as he averaged just 5.3 points and played only 17.2 minutes per game after he was traded from the Charlotte Hornets to the Oklahoma City Thunder at the trade deadline, and was essentially out of the Thunder’s playoff rotation entirely.
Realistically speaking, it will be equally as tough for Hayward to log serious minutes on the Knicks, as they already have the wing spots filled out on the depth chart with OG Anunoby and Josh Hart. However, a veteran minimum signing would reduce any financial risk long-term, and such a signing could serve as key insurance in the event that the team deals with a lot of injuries again.
The Knicks should focus on adding a center first
While Hayward could be a solid and cheap depth addition, the Knicks may need to focus on a more direct need first, as they currently lack depth at the center position. Mitchell Robinson is projected to be the starter, but the next available big man is Jericho Sims, who has been their third-string center since entering the league. A lot of centers who were free agents at the start of the offseason are now off the board, so they might have to make a trade to add another center.
If or when the Knicks do add a center, and if Hayward is still available on the open market and they feel that extra wing depth is necessary, then they could pull the trigger and sign him to a veteran minimum deal. What his role on the Knicks could look like remains a mystery, as there is no guaranteed rotation spot for him, but he could be useful if injuries or other circumstances come about.
