Top targets: Free agents the Knicks should consider

The Mikal Bridges trade solidified the Knicks’ status as a top contender. A superstar in Jalen Brunson, a star in Julius Randle, and an elite group of role players who mask each other’s flaws and enhance their strengths. The Knicks have had one of their best offseasons in recent memory and are gearing up to challenge (and beat) the Celtics. They currently have some of the best contracts in the league, and the power of the Nova Knicks’ friendship means this team is likely to stay together. That gives the Knicks leverage in negotiating with free agents, as their core could be willing to take a pay cut to play together.

But even the best teams in the league can improve on the margins. There are holes in the Knicks’ roster, and the Knicks should look to fill them sooner rather than later. The Knicks have about $15-20 million in cap space under the 2nd Apron. The best part for the Knicks is that this year’s luxury tax won’t be substantial either. They have 3 roster spots left and a few spots to fill, so here are the free agents the Knicks should look to sign.

Free agency: Key contributors the Knicks should sign

Knicks Free Agent Options

Precious Achiuwa

The Knicks need a backup center. Precious Achiuwa is an unrestricted free agent and the Knicks should try to bring him back. He averaged 24.2 minutes with the Knicks and proved his defensive versatility despite his small size. Achiuwa averaged 1.1 blocks per game and was a threat on the offensive rebound, averaging 2.9 offensive rebounds per game. Achiuwa is an offensive downgrade from Hartenstein and is surprisingly inefficient for a center. Last season, he shot just 62.7 percent from the field, 53rd percentile, and below average for a center. But the Knicks don’t expect much offensive production from their centers. Mikal Bridges (NYK-Nets trade) and a healthy Julius Randle will make up for his lack of offense. The Knicks can/should re-sign Achiuwa using their $5.2 million mid-level exception. Jericho Sims hasn’t performed as well as he should, and Mitchell Robinson’s injury concerns are a real issue.

Kyle Lowry

For all the advantages this Knicks team has, it’s important to note that this is a very young team. Randle is the oldest player on the Knicks at 30, and having a veteran will help the Knicks in pressure situations. So why not go all-in on the Nova Knicks tag? Bring in the oldest Nova of them all, the father, Kyle Lowry. Lowry played at Villanova from 2004-06, almost 7 years before anyone on this Knicks team made their Villanova debut. Lowry has played 18 years in the NBA and is still productive to this day. He’s a good 3-point shooter and can still distribute the ball at a high level. He had a 3.1 assist-to-turnover ratio, which would be the best mark on the Knicks (with the exception of Miles McBride). Lowry is still a good defender and can hold his own against the best point guards in the league.

Additionally, Lowry is an NBA champion and has played many games at the top of the NBA. Lowry has played 35 games in the Conference Finals/NBA Finals and brings experience to a team that is lacking veterans. Additionally, Tyler Kolek (Knicks 2nd round pick) would benefit from watching and learning from a prototypical point guard. Lowry can be a mentor of sorts for this team and doesn’t even need to get a lot of minutes. Instead, he can help players improve their game and be a leader in the locker room. The Knicks should be able to get Lowry for the veteran minimum, which is currently $3 million.

Haywood Highsmith

The free-agent market is now bleak, in part because the Knicks couldn’t make an early move due to the Bridges trade saga. But Highsmith is the cheap defensive end that Thibs will come to love. He’s made a name for himself as one of the Heat’s best perimeter defenders, and can easily fill that role as Anunoby’s backup. Highsmith has held opponents to just 35.8 percent from three-point range and just 50 percent from beyond the arc. He’s the perfect replacement for OG Anunoby and allows Thibs to rest OG more often so he’s healthy come playoff time.

However, Highsmith has been offered a contract by the Heat. It likely won’t come cheap, with executives predicting he’ll receive an annual offer in the $8-10 million range. If that’s the case, the Knicks will have to look elsewhere.

The Final Word on Knicks’ Free Agent Options

The Mikal Bridges trade has put a damper on the Knicks’ plans. The deal took longer than expected to close, leaving the Knicks with a very thin market. But they should look to sign at least one of the three players mentioned above. The Knicks could also look to sign more of their second-round draft picks and relieve the salary cap later, but whatever they do, they need to act quickly.

We trust Leon Rose!