While the Knicks don’t plan on offering any contracts with second-year guarantees, they’re unlikely to sit out free agency entirely. As Marc Berman of The New York Post details, the club is exploring the possibility of re-signing Michael Beasley or adding another veteran forward.
According to Berman, Anthony Tolliver is a potential target for the Knicks, who may want to use their mid-level exception on a “high-character veteran.” Berman identifies Jeff Green, Ersan Ilyasova, and Luc Mbah a Moute as other options within the New York’s price range.
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As for Beasley, while a return to the Knicks is possible, sources tell Berman that the Trail Blazers, Hawks, and Bucks are among the other teams that could have interest. The Warriors have also internally discussed the possibility of offering Beasley a minimum-salary deal, but it doesn’t look like they’ll do so, Berman adds.
Here are more notes and rumors on free agency from around the NBA:
- Spurs big man Joffrey Lauvergne is leaning toward declining his player option and becoming a free agent, reports Orazio Cauchi of Sportando. If Lauvergne opts out, he may head to Europe, where he’d be in line for a larger role — Fenerbahce (Turkey) and CSKA Moscow (Russia) are two teams with apparent interest, per Cauchi.
- Within a league-wide look at each team’s priorities in free agency, Michael Scotto of The Athletic reports that the Nets are in the market for a stretch four this offseason.
- Former lottery pick Anthony Randolph, who played in the NBA from 2008 to 2014, is a candidate to return to the league, says Sean Deveney of The Sporting News. Randolph has played in Russia and Spain over the last few seasons, but a source tells Deveney that the forward/center is receiving interest from multiple NBA teams. For now, Randolph remains under contract with Real Madrid, but a jump back to the NBA is possible.
- Aaron Harrison, eligible for restricted free agency with the Mavericks, has committed to joining the Wizards‘ Summer League team, per Chase Hughes of NBC Sports Washington. Dallas tendered qualifying offers to a few other RFA-eligible players this week, but it seems Harrison isn’t in the team’s plans. He’ll become an unrestricted free agent on Sunday.
Would love to get Parker for 1 year see what happens. Perfect fit for the knicks at the 4
Good luck with that. Bucks would match any 1 year offer.
C’mon man. Let’s be realistic.
Offer sheets have to be for a minimum of 3 years. Even if they could use the MLE, it won’t be nearly enough for Parker to do anything but laugh at.
Beasley I could see re-signing with the Knicks. The other guys I would think would want, if they’re getting 1 year, to be with a contender. Knicks don’t need another vet. They should look at throwing the MLE at a younger player or two that are UFAs and maybe fell through the cracks. There will be time at the forward spots until KP gets back. Looney’s shot is too painful to watch for a full year, but there’s got to be other guys. Someone they might actually want to keep longer term if things work out.
I’d be surprised if the Knicks sign anyone beyond 1-year right now. Beasley is going to want to lock in on more than 1-year I would suspect, given his career.
I’m assuming they won’t give out more than 1 year (team commitment). But a full MLE for a year (8.4 mm) might get a guy to take 1 year, maybe with a team option for a 2nd (but even without the latter they’d have the non-Bird exception at 120% for the following year). With younger players, where I’d prefer to focus, that might be an overpay. Not much cap space around, and many teams don’t want the “hard cap” that comes with using the full MLE or BAE. Whereas, the rebuilding Knicks shouldn’t care this year. The Knicks also have an important developmental asset available at the forward spots – playing time. A young player should value that more than additional years if he thinks he’s better than he’s been allowed to show. We could be an attractive stop over for a talented young player who’s finds himself an UFA for reasons not related to his talent (and who, in many cases, his current can’t practically resign for anything close to the MLE). We might find a long term piece or a trade asset. You have to look. A vet could be a trade asset as well, but only that, and they don’t usually sign 1 year deals with bad teams.
Kudos to Beasley, had a great year in NYC, hopefully he can keep it up.