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The New York Knicks are going to add to their backcourt at some point early during NBA free agency. Primarily, New York has been linked to point guards that are set to hit the open market or could become available in trades.
It now appears that front office head Leon Rose has his sights set on both backcourt positions. According to Ian Begley of SNY, there’s mutual interest between the Knicks and All-Star wing DeMar DeRozan.
To say this would be a rather interesting pairing is an understatement. New York’s brass views impressive 2020 first-round pick Immanuel Quickley more as a two-guard than a point guard. The team also has an impressive youngster in that of wing R.J. Barrett who is coming off a stellar sophomore campaign. A signing of this ilk might end up being a harbinger of things to come for one of those players.
DeMar DeRozan makes sense for the New York Knicks
Despite this, adding another capable scorer has to be seen as a priority for a Knicks team coming off a surprise playoff appearance.
DeRozan, 31, has averaged north of 20 points in each of the past eight seasons. He’s coming off a 2020-21 campaign that saw the four-time All-Star average 21.6 points, 4.2 rebounds and 6.9 assists on 50% shooting from the field.
Flush with north of $52 million in cap room, the Knicks can offer DeRozan more cash than any of the teams he’s been linked to thus far. Recently, it was reported that the wing might take less to sign with his hometown Los Angeles Lakers.
Either way, mutual interest between the New York Knicks and DeMar DeRozan can’t be seen as too surprising. The on-court fit makes sense.