Shooting is what helped the New York Knicks take their offense to another level in the 2023-24 NBA season. It’s also what could help them reach the landing on their climb up to title contention.
Malik Beasley could be an intriguing option for the Knicks in free agency
The free agent market will feature a sharpshooter that the Knicks may not want to pass up on. Bleacher Report’s Zach Buckley identified Milwaukee Bucks two guard Malik Beasley as an option the Knicks could invest in to strengthen their bench this summer (h/t Collin Loring of Heavy Sports):
“Most modern NBA teams could use more shooting, and the Knicks are certainly no exception,” Buckley wrote. “That’s how the Knicks could potentially be drawn to a player like Malik Beasley—provided, of course, coach Tom Thibodeau wouldn’t just torpedo that plan given Beasley’s…uh…less than stellar impact defensively.”
Knicks could add another X-factor to their offensive unit for next season
Beasley can have an impact on the Knicks similar to the type that Donte DiVincenzo had in the regular season. Beasley is a proficient marksman that moves well without the ball around the arc. DiVincenzo exhibited those traits and also found success making sound reads when driving to the basket.
Beasley shot a career-high 41.3 percent from distance in 2023-24. His efficient clip carried him to 11.3 points per game on the year. Starkly, the 27-year-old’s usage percentage of 14.2 percent was considerably lower than DiVincenzo’s 20.9 percent metric. Yet, in virtually the same amount of playing time, DiVincenzo only outpaced Beasley by 4.2 PPG despite posting identical 44.3 percent field goal percentages.
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The Knicks won a lot when they shot lights out from three-point range in 2023-24
The Knicks could use as much shooting as they can get for next season. They went 24-5 last year when they connected on 15 or more three-pointers in a game. Further, they lost three of those games by being outshot from beyond the arc.
The proof is in the pudding. The Knicks excelled when they connected from long range. Beasley is one of the premier shooters in the NBA today. New York could say goodbye to Bojan Bogdanovic and his roughly $19 million contract this summer, which could free up room for the Georgia native.
The challenge will be persuading him to leave his starting role with a Bucks team that finished with one game back from the Knicks on the year. Should Knicks president Leon Rose take a liking to the veteran and offer him more than the $2.7 million he made in 2023-24, they could have a shot at bringing him on board.