The New York Knicks have their eyes set on a few quality free agent targets this August. With legal tampering starting at 6 PM on Monday evening, two players that have been connected to New York are DeMar DeRozan and Evan Fournier, who serve complementary purposes.
According to Ian Begley of SNY, the Knicks have their eyes set on a few solid players this free agency period:
“There is mutual interest between the Knicks and DeMar DeRozan.”
“There continues to be mutual interest between the Knicks and Evan Fournier.”
What would the two bring to the Knicks?
1.) DeMar DeRozan
DeRozan is an aging veteran at 32-years-old, but he still has plenty of value to offer a team like the Knicks. He averaged 21.6 points, 6.9 assists and shot nearly 50% from the field last season. While he doesn’t offer much as a three-point shooter, he’s great at driving to the rim and providing depth at point guard. He can serve as a quality small forward who plays aggressive defense, fitting Tom Thibodeau’s mold to perfection.
Ultimately, the Knicks need more efficient scorers, and DeRozen is coming off a five-year, $139 million deal, averaging nearly $28 million per season. He might garner a contract in the $20 million AAV range, which the Knicks can afford. He would be a welcomed player in New York, given his long-term positive health history and efficiency getting to the basket.
2.) Evan Fournier
Fournier is coming off a season with the Orlando Magic and Boston Celtics, being traded at the deadline. He can serve as a small forward and shooting guard, similar to Reggie Bullock, who could be on his way out with interest from the Los Angeles Lakers. The former first-round selection averaged 17.1 points, 3.4 assists, and shot 46% from the field last season. However, his biggest strength is his three-point shooting, averaging 41% over 6.7 times last year. He’s also a career 80% free-throw shooter.
The French-born player is seeking a four-year, $80 million deal, according to Mark Murphy of the Boston Herald. That would put him at $20 million per season, similar to DeRozan (projection). Those two players alone would take up the majority of New York’s available funds, and neither are traditional point guards.
The Knicks’ interest will likely boil down to one of the two, and given DeRozan might be looking for a shorter deal at his age, that might be the more efficient signing.
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