New York Knicks 2019 Free Agency Review And Grades

2019 New York Knicks Free Agency Review 

Written By Kyle Crabbe

Twitter:@KthetruestKnick

The 2018-19 NBA Season created a lot of turnover for the New York Knicks Basketball team. With the major trade of Phenom Kristaps Porzingis to the Dallas Mavericks earlier this year in January the Knicks Franchise set themselves to make major moves to the Franchise come the 2019 Off-season. Many in the media and around basketball circles voiced and believed the Knicks would be in on the spree of huge names like Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, or Kawhi Leonard could land in New York during the 2019 NBA Free Agency.

The Knicks didn't land the big names or acquire a combination of Star Players that was rumored and populated though the major media outlets, but they did have a productive and successful 2019 Free Agency. The Knicks were able to sign a group of veteran players and couple young players brimming with potential that can contribute to whatever success the Knicks might have in the upcoming 2019-20 NBA Season.

Here in our TrueFan way we will go over and breakdown with grades and fit the 7 Free Agents the New York Knicks signed to the infamous Franchise in the 2019-Offseason.

1) Julius Randle

Position: PF

Size: 6'9”, 250Lbs

Age: 24

2018-19 Stats: 73 Games Played, 30.6 Minutes Per Game, 21.0 PER(Player Efficiency Rating), 21.4 Points Per Game, 8.7 Rebounds Per Game, 3.1 Assists Per Game, 0.7 Steals Per Game, 0.6 Blocks Per Game, .524% Field Goal Percentage, .344% 3-Point Percentage, .731% Free Throw Percentage

Deal: Signed For 3-Years, $63 Million.

Free Agent Contract Value: A

Free Agent Potential Fit: A

Free Agent Signing Grade: A

TrueFan Take:

The signing of Julius Randle is not only a good signing but might become the most underrated acquisition of the entire 2019 NBA Off-Season. Randle is one of the more talented under-25 NBA players in the league and is on par to become a All-Star at some point in his NBA Career. The former 7^th Overall Pick of the 2014 NBA Draft is coming off a career year with averages of 21 points and 9 rebounds per game in 2018-19 with the New Orleans Pelicans.

There's no question about Randle's talent level, Randle was ranked out of High School as the Best Power Forward and as the second best player in his class only to Canadian Star Andrew Wiggins. Randle is an accomplished plus level basketball player as he was a McDonald's All-American, won Co-MVP at the Michael Jordan Classic, 5-Star Recruit, and in his one year at Kentucky was a Top 10 finalists for the Naismith College Player of the Year.

If the Knicks could of chose the best player in the league at the trade deadline to replace 23-Year Old Franchise Star Kristaps Porzingis it would be a dream to get Julius Randle. Fortunately for the Knicks, four months after dealing Porzingis they acquired Randle for significantly less than what Porzingis' would of cost the Knicks' salary cap flexibility.

Besides those obvious points, what to me makes this signing at absolute homerun is the value of the contract and the fit for Randle. Randle is a perfect compliment for Knicks newest Franchise Star 2019 3^rd Overall Pick RJ Barrett. Randle and Barrett have the chance to become one of the more feared pick-and-roll duos in the entire league. LA Lakers Legend Kobe Bryant once described Julius Randle as a combination of former New York City Star Lamar Odom and former Knicks Power Forward Zach Randolph. It's hard for many fans to project what the two could be but to give basketball fans a quick understanding of how great the two can be, I would point to the SG-PF Duo of Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol with the Lakers(2008-2014). The reason that this comparison will work well is RJ Barrett is an elite scorer with high unrivaled basketball IQ and Julius Randle is a multi-faceted big man that can pass like a Point Guard but has all the post moves to be effective in the paint or shoot the open jump shot.

This was a great signing for both Randle and the Knicks, we will see how successful the two will be over the length of their agreement.

2) Bobby Portis

Position: PF

Size: 6'11”, 250Lbs

Age: 24

2018-19 Stats: 50 Games Played, 27.4 Minutes Per Game, 16.1 PER(Player Efficiency Rating), 14.2 Points Per Game, 8.1 Rebounds Per Game, 1.4 Assists Per Game, 0.7 Steals Per Game, 0.4 Blocks Per Game, .444% Field Goal Percentage, .393% 3-Point Percentage, .794% Free Throw Percentage

Deal: Signed For 2-Years, $31 Million.

Free Agent Contract Value: B-

Free Agent Potential Fit: B

Free Agent Signing Grade: B

TrueFan Take:

The signing of Power Forward Bobby Portis was another good addition for the New York Knicks. Portis is only 24 also and is coming off his best statistical season in his young NBA Career. Portis is a competitive intense player that seems well molded for playing in Madison Square Garden. Portis is more cut from the cloth of the older Knicks from the recent past like Anthony Mason, Charles Oakley, Xavier McDaniels.

Portis is a excellent fit as he can play both Power Forward and Center off the bench for the Knicks and also start for Coach Fizdale if his starters are to miss any time during the season from injuries.

Portis is also very accomplished in his young basketball Career as he was also a McDonald's All-American, 2013 Arkansas Mr. Basketball, and 2015 SEC Conference Player of the Year.

This was another excellent signing by the Knicks front office for the 2019 Free Agency.

3) Taj Gibson

Position: PF

Size: 6'9”, 230Lbs

Age: 34

2018-19 Stats: 70 Games Played, 24.1 Minutes Per Game, 17.8 PER(Player Efficiency Rating), 10.8 Points Per Game, 6.5 Rebounds Per Game, 1.2 Assists Per Game, 0.8 Steals Per Game, 0.6 Blocks Per Game, .566% Field Goal Percentage, .324% 3-Point Percentage, .757% Free Throw Percentage

Deal: Signed For 2-Years, $20 Million.

Free Agent Contract Value: B

Free Agent Potential Fit: B

Free Agent Signing Grade: B-

TrueFan Take:

The pick-up of Big Man Taj Gibson was a solid signing if Gibson is willing to take a back role and become a sort of mentor for the younger big men the Knicks currently have on the roster.

The Gibson signing makes good sense in the mold of he is a true New Yorker. Taj Gibson is a native New Yorker who grew up in the popular New York borough of Brooklyn like other infamous former Knicks, ie Stephon Marbury, Carmelo Anthony, Lance Thomas. Gibson brings a needed veteran presence to this young core but also brings the understanding what it is to be a New York Knick to the city of New York and what pressure that could bring.

Gibson is no doubt a solid player who has sported a good 11-year career with averages of 10 Points and 6 rebounds as mostly an off the bench contributor. Gibson can offer possible good mentorship and be solid piece that Coach Fizdale can use to compliment his frontcourt.

4) Elfrid Payton

Position: PG

Size: 6'4”, 185Lbs

Age: 25

2018-19 Stats: 42 Games Played, 29.8 Minutes Per Game, 14.0 PER(Player Efficiency Rating), 10.6 Points Per Game, 5.2 Rebounds Per Game, 7.6 Assists Per Game, 1.0 Steals Per Game, 0.4 Blocks Per Game, .434% Field Goal Percentage, .314% 3-Point Percentage, .743% Free Throw Percentage

Deal: Signed For 2-Years, $16 Million.

Free Agent Contract Value: B

Free Agent Potential Fit: C

Free Agent Signing Grade: C+

TrueFan Take:

Elfrid Payton is a solid defensive minded Point Guard in the mold of former Knicks Starting Point Guard from the 90's Charlie Ward. Payton is a excellent floor general that really gets after on the defensive end but I would question why the Knicks would go after Payton given the roster the Knicks have.

Payton will be thrusted into a Point Guard Competition for the reigns to the lead guard spot for the Knicks with two former 2017 Lottery Picks in Frank Ntilikina and Dennis Smith Jr.

This is what makes this signing a little questionable. If Payton wins the competition that's great, for I believe he fits well with any team he would potentially be on and has the talent to be a starting caliber point guard in the NBA. Payton's skill set is welcomed by all NBA teams. The potential problem is what we've seen in New York over the last couple years with the numerous Point Guard battles rather than allowing one of the highly touted prospects to get the job and be allowed to develop.

Last season's battle was between Trey Burke, Emmanuel Mudiay and Frank Ntilikina. And in hindsight we can say that competition hurt all 3 of those young point guards development. I would of preferred the Knicks to allow Frank Ntilikina and Dennis Smith Jr to battle for the starting role and then split the minutes during the season so both could develop from having consistent significant playing time. Or if the Knicks was going to sign another Point Guard for depth, in my opinion they could of signed an older veteran point guard that could push Smith and Ntilikina in practice but really just offer the Knicks leadership, mentorship and bench depth during the season like signing back a Jarrett Jack, maybe a Shaun Livingston or even former Knick Raymond Felton.

But the signing by itself is nonetheless a good pick-up. However, If Dennis Smith Jr does win the starting Point Guard job and thus the Knicks trade Frank Nitlikina, then I see Payton becoming an excellent 6^th man off the bench bringing defense and pushing the pace for Coach Fizdale.

5) Wayne Ellington

Position: SG

Size: 6'5”, 200Lbs

Age: 31

2018-19 Stats: 53 Games Played, 24.5 Minutes Per Game, 11.8 PER(Player Efficiency Rating), 10.3 Points Per Game, 2.0 Rebounds Per Game, 1.4 Assists Per Game, 1.0 Steals Per Game, 0.1 Blocks Per Game, .403% Field Goal Percentage, .371% 3-Point Percentage, .796% Free Throw Percentage

Deal: Signed For 2-Years, $16 Million.

Free Agent Contract Value: C-

Free Agent Potential Fit: B

Free Agent Signing Grade: C

TrueFan Take:

Former North Carolina Star and 2009 NCAA Champion Shooting Guard Wayne Ellington is a excellent shooter than can hit big shots when the moment calls for it. The adding of Ellington give the Knicks a solid 3-and D Shooting Guard that can compliment the Knicks young core and spread the floor for the Knicks guards that love to penetrate like that of PG Dennis Smith Jr and SG RJ Barrett.

I like the signing but absolutely don't love the signing. Ellington is dangerous close to what Knicks Shooting Guard Damyean Dotson has become already. I like the signing for depth but that depth can become a block for Dotson's growth and continuation of development in New York. I also hope the Ellington doesn't take minutes and development time away from the likes of Allonzo Trier or Frank Ntilikina.

6) Reggie Bullock

Position: SG/SF

Size: 6'7”, 205Lbs

Age: 28

2018-19 Stats: 63 Games Played, 29.8 Minutes Per Game, 10.5 PER(Player Efficiency Rating), 11.3 Points Per Game, 2.7 Rebounds Per Game, 2.0 Assists Per Game, 0.6 Steals Per Game, 0.2 Blocks Per Game, .412% Field Goal Percentage, .377% 3-Point Percentage, .859% Free Throw Percentage

Deal: Signed For 2-Years, $8 Million.

Free Agent Contract Value: B

Free Agent Potential Fit: C-

Free Agent Signing Grade: C

TrueFan Take:

Another former University of North Carolina Star Reggie Bullock is also a excellent NBA 3-and D player. Bullock offers the Knicks a more defensive sound player than Ellington but with a similar outside shooting stroke.

I like the Bullock signing more than Ellington but Bullock originally agreed to a larger deal that was later amended in Free-Agency after it became known that Bullock was going to have back-surgery and cost him a portion of next season. That's where my issue with this particular signing comes in. Again the Knicks already had young Shooting Guard Damyean Dotson in the mold as the perfect 3-and D wing coming off the bench. Adding Bullock could again potentially block Dotson or reduce Dotson's minutes/opportunities.

Bullock is still a decent signing and can potential be a great mentor for Dotson while he recovers from back-surgery. This signing could also hurt the Knicks if Bullock struggles like some other NBA players that have had spinal surgery to return to form.

7) Marcus Morris

Position: SF/PF

Size: 6'9”, 235Lbs

Age: 29

2018-19 Stats: 75 Games Played, 27.9 Minutes Per Game, 14.2 PER(Player Efficiency Rating), 13.9 Points Per Game, 6.1 Rebounds Per Game, 1.5 Assists Per Game, 0.6 Steals Per Game, 0.3 Blocks Per Game, .447% Field Goal Percentage, .375% 3-Point Percentage, .844% Free Throw Percentage

Deal: Signed For 1-Year, $15 Million.

Free Agent Contract Value: D-

Free Agent Potential Fit: C+

Free Agent Signing Grade: C

TrueFan Take:

The last signing of the off-season is maybe the most hit-or miss. Marcus Morris is a Philadelphia Native and the former 2011 Big 12 Player of the Year. Morris in his 9-Year NBA Career has posted averages of 12 points and 5 Rebounds mostly in a reserve role.

Morris is a tough minded basketball player that can score the ball in a plethora of ways. Morris is a good outside shooter but can also post up inside very well using his strong 6-9 240 Pound frame to get where ever he needs. Morris no doubt gives the Knicks a proven offensive player that will compete every night and play tough basketball.

In my opinion why this signing is a boom or bust is completely contingent on what role Morris is given. If Morris demands or becomes the Knicks Starting Small Forward that would be horrible in my opinion because it would definitely stunt and hurt Kevin Knox's development and opportunities. But if Morris can be something of a mentor off the bench for Knox and the Knicks, this could be a solid signing.

The problem with this signing is no matter how you look at it Morris will be taking minutes away from either Kevin Knox, Rookie Ignas Brazdeikis, Bobby Portis and even possibility Frank Ntilikina. The hope is Coach Fizdale makes the rotations work and Morris could end up being in the runnning for a sixth man of the year award at year's end. But I'll admit that's being extremely optimistic for the Knicks 2019 NBA Season.

NY Knicks TrueFan Overall Free Agency Signings Grade

C+

TrueFan Take:

Contrary to the abusive Popular Sport Media Outlets the Knicks had one of the better free-agency. The reason many pundits and writers are bashing the Knicks is due to only the rumors of Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving coming to New York only to go to the Knicks cross town rivals the Brooklyn Nets.

But if we look at the Knicks' roster at year's end, and then after Free-Agency, no one can argue if they actually improved their team. The Knicks did a good job signing players that actually fit what their needs were without spending huge on any particular player. While Kevin Durant will most likely miss all season, there's a good chance Knicks top signee Julius Randle will be a All-Star this year in the Eastern Conference.

However to briefly speak on the Durant-Irving tandem in Brooklyn it's nice but most likely won't produce any championships to the city of New York. Given Durant injury, we can without any real debate conclude Durant won't return as the Legendary Dominant player he was from age 27 to 30. As in this very city recently we saw a scoring SuperStar like Carmelo Anthony struggle to return to his dominate status after a major surgery at age 30(same age as Durant) in 2015. His partner and one of my favorite players Kyrie Irving has had a history of health injuries throughout his entire career and is now taking on the load of bringing the Nets back to the top of the East that will for sure take a huge toll of Irving's body. In my opinion it looks like the Nets made a repeat of signing two elite players in the edge of their prime like they did in 2012 giving big commitments to Scoring Savant Joe Johnson and Star Point Guard Deron Williams. At that time Johnson was aged 31 and Williams respectfully 28( KD at signing is 30, Kyrie being 27). I expect the Nets to greatly improve but I don't picture Championships coming to Brooklyn anytime soon.

On that note, while the media can paint the picture that Brooklyn dominated the 2019 NBA Off-season when it comes to New York, truly only time will tell. Brooklyn does deserve their due credit for recruiting two legendary NBA players. That I want to give their props but I'm not going to agree and say hands down Brooklyn won the off-season. I say to that please keep in mind the Knicks did draft RJ Barrett this off-season and In my opinion RJ Barrett will be better than anybody on the Nets in less than 3 years. A bold take, but in my heart I see that as more of a reality than what has been sold to basketball fans over this 2019 Free Agency “ Winners and Losers” popular takes. On to what looks to be one exciting 2019-20 NBA Season.

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