One More Spot
While Summer League is starting, the Knicks offseason is almost over. Leon Rose did a masterful job bringing back Landry Shamet, Mohamed Diawara, Jose Alvarado, and Jordan Clarkson without going over the second apron. Obviously winning a championship helps, but it speaks to the Knicks culture that guys are willing to stay for less money than they could probably get on the open market.
The lone second apron causality in the rotation was Mitchell Robinson who signed with our archrival, the Boston Celtics. Rose was able to pivot and sign Andre Drummond for the minimum. Even though he will turn 33 next month, Drummond had a 23.8% rebounding percentage and 15.6 rebounds per 36 minutes. Rebounding was Mitchell Robinson’s biggest stretch so getting an elite rebounder to replace him was key. Drummond may not be the rim protector that Mitch is, but he has also improved his shooting ability over the years. After being in the low 40’s, high 30’s earlier in his career, Drummond shot 63.1% from the foul line last year. He also went 32 of 90 (35.6%) from downtown.
So where does that leave the Knicks? They are $3.3 million shy of the second apron and have 13 players with guaranteed contracts. Unless they make a trade to clear space or sign both second round picks to contracts (the second scenario is unlikely), the Knicks will start the season with 14 instead of 15. The Knicks could sign a player to the veteran minimum and have $824 K in cap space or sign a second round pick at $1.92 million. Jeremy Cohen from Knicks Film School did the math and determined that the Knicks would be able to fill the 15th roster spot on February 7th, around the trade deadline. This would allow them to tap into the buyout market for the 15th and final spot.
How will that last spot be used? I think the most likely scenario is that they use it on a third big. The Knicks have been linked to Jonas Valanciunas, who was recently bought out by the Nuggets. Much like Drummond, he is a pretty good rebounder. However, I don’t really think it is a good idea to have two backup centers on the wrong side of 30 who are bad rim protectors. Nick Richards is another option. The Knicks tried to acquire him at the last two deadlines and he has ties to Leon Rose and CAA. There is also high upside restricted free agent, Moussa Cisse. As an undrafted free agent last year, Cisse averaged 5.7 RPG and 1.2 BPG in just 13 minutes. Cisse would likely have to come to New York on sign-and-trade since the Mavs can match. There is always the trade block as well. Two guys that stick out to me are Yves Missi or Moussa Diabate, who have already established themselves as rotation pieces. With an influx of second round picks from draft night and Shamet and Clarkson back, they could put a package for Missi or Diabate centered around Deuce McBride and second round picks.
They don’t necessarily have to bring in a big. They could sign second rounder, Tyler Nickel, or give Dillon Jones a standard contract. They can get around having a third big on the roster by giving out a two way contract. Liam Robbins is a name that has been getting a lot of buzz going into Summer League. The former Bucks two way player can protect the rim on defense and stretch the floor on offense. In theory, the Knicks don’t have to rush. The defending champs rotation is already set. The last two offseasons, Leon Rose traded for Karl-Anthony Towns and resigned Shamet/added Malcolm Brogdon to the roster in September. Until training camp, Leon Rose isn’t in, “pencils down,” mode. Enjoy not only Summer League, but the rest of your summer. When late September rolls around and camp starts, the champs will be ready.