The NY Knicks have made some more free agent moves, signing Darion Atkins and Wesley Saunders to partially guaranteed contracts and they could compete for roster spots this summer along with Alex Kirk, Thanasis Antetokounmpo and Ricky Ledo, who could be better options for Phil Jackson over a trade for Chris Andersen or signing JaVale McGee, Justin Hamilton or Greg Stiemsma on the market.
The Knicks have made a number of offseason moves to improve the roster, signing Robin Lopez, Derrick Williams and Arron Afflalo to deals. According to Ian Begley at ESPN New York, the Knicks are still looking for another big man to sign to give Robin Lopez some depth at center, while a guard is also a need for the team. Begley writes that the Knicks could look at JaVale McGee or Kevin Seraphin on the free agent market, while Alex Kirk could be an option after he played well during the Summer League.
Chris Andersen is being shopped by the Miami Heat and he could be a trade target for the Knicks, but his salary makes a deal unlikely. Andersen will count $5 million on the cap and the Heat have been pushing a trade to help lower their tax number. The team has traded Shabazz Napier and Zoran Dragic and they reportedly are shopping both Chalmers and Andersen. Alan Hahn at ESPN wrote that Chalmers actually would be a solid fit for the triangle, but Miami is looking to get rid of a contract and the Knicks only could make that deal if they send a contract back.
Shlomo Sprung of Sheridan Hoops reports that the Knicks are adding Darion Atkins to a contract this summer and that the deal is partially guaranteed. The Knicks have been looking to stock up on players that may end up in the D-League, as that worked out in the past with Langston Galloway. According to RealGM, the Knicks also added Wesley Saunders this summer and both Saunders and Atkins are on partially guaranteed deals and could participate in training camp.
The Knicks have a couple roster spots open and while Atkins and Saunders could compete for those spots with strong play this summer, it's likely they end up in the D-League. According to Begley, the Knicks may consider adding another free agent and they also have decisions to make regarding Summer League players, including Ledo, Kirk and Antetokounmpo. Begley wrote earlier in the summer that both Ledo and Antetokounmpo were "under consideration" for roster spots this season.
JaVale McGee has dealt with numerous injuries over the past couple seasons and the Knicks may not want to go that route over bringing in someone cheaper from the summer league. McGee likely would be on a minimum deal if he signs with the Knicks and her has had reported interest from the Dallas Mavericks as well. The Knicks have a $2,814,000 exception, according to Pro Basketball Talk and that could be used on a veteran like McGee or Stiemsma. PBT writes that since Atkins is a forward, he has a better chance to make the roster over Saunders out of camp. Kirk is also an option for the Knicks after his play in the Summer League.
