The New York Knicks have eyes for Atlanta Hawks free-agent Kent Bazemore. This is a good thing. Unless you actually expect them to pay him. In which case it’s a bad thing.
From the New York Post‘s Marc Berman:
Bazemore is high on the Knicks’ list for a shooting guard, but they know resources aren’t unlimited if they want to sign their own free agents to pacts that will allow them to go over the salary cap.
Kent Bazemore is not setting up any meetings with teams until the Hawks make their intentions clear on whether they will go for his large asking price. Meanwhile, a report Tuesday night stated Miami shooting guard — and friend of Carmelo Anthony — Dwyane Wade, 34, who had been considered a shoo-in to re-sign with the Heat, is supposedly open to offers after early talks didn’t go well.
According to an NBA source, Bazemore is “not ruling the Knicks out because he fills a need for them at the wing.” But the source isn’t sure if the Knicks will come into play. Bazemore’s intention is to stay in Atlanta. But if it doesn’t work out, Bazemore will have a bevy of suitors, including New Orleans and the Knicks.
If Bazemore’s intention is to stay in Atlanta, there’s not much the Knicks can do. But if the Hawks for some reason aren’t open to paying him, or if they decide to enter rebuilding mode after losing Al Horford, he suddenly comes into play.
At that point, the Knicks would do well to chase him hard. They need low-usage wings who can drill spot-up threes off passes from the ball-dominant Derrick Rose and Carmelo Anthony. They also need perimeter weapons who can defend. Kent Bazemore fits that bill to a T.
While the Knicks, who have around $30 million in cap space, shouldn’t get into any unnecessary bidding wars, chasing players like Bazemore—or even Allen Crabbe—should be their top priority. Forget about Joakim Noah (if he’s not willing to accept a steep discount). Kristaps Porzingis can play center. The Knicks need high-end complementary wings—yes, plural.
Pursuing Bazemore over Noah or Pau Gasol would go a long way in proving this team is at least trying to head in the right direction rather than just pining for the next big splash.
