The New York Knicks are reportedly not done in their quest to complete the Villanova collective. Following a stunning blockbuster deal Tuesday night that saw the Brooklyn Nets trade Mikal Bridges to the Knicks for a boatload of draft capital, New York has their eyes set on free agent guard Kyle Lowry, another Villanova alumni.
“Bridges always had an eye for New York, sources said, especially after the Knicks added Donte DiVincenzo last summer following the February 2023 trade deadline deal that brought Josh Hart through the door. These Wildcat connections run deep, and Kyle Lowry has even been mentioned by NBA figures as a target for New York in free agency, sources said,” Jake Fischer from Yahoo Sports reported.
Kyle Lowry could make sense for the Knicks
Aside from the Villanova connection, Lowry would actually be a solid cheap fit on the Knicks, as they badly need a backup point guard. Last season, he spent most of the year with the Miami Heat before going to the Philadelphia 76ers. In 23 games with the Sixers, he was able to find his shooting touch once again, averaging eight points while shooting 40% from three-point range and also bringing some playmaking with 4.6 assists per game.
The 38-year-old guard is about to enter his 19th NBA season, and while his age would make him sort of an outcast on a relatively young Knicks roster, he is still an impact player with a track record of success. Lowry is a six-time All-Star and brings championship pedigree to the table, winning it all with the Toronto Raptors in 2019. Playing him alongside Miles McBride in the second unit can also positively impact his development, as he struggled to truly facilitate an offense last season.
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Adding Lowry on a cheap deal could help them re-sign Anunoby
The Knicks have their own free agents to try to re-sign in OG Anunoby and Isaiah Hartenstein, and they may not be able to bring both of them back following the Bridges deal. SNY’s Ian Begley reported following the Bridges trade that they are still prioritizing the return of Anunoby, but that it is “increasingly unlikely” that they will be able to bring back Hartenstein. Signing Lowry to a cheap one-year deal could help them re-sign Anunoby at the very least, and they could then have themselves the next best team to challenge the champion Boston Celtics next season.
