Los Angeles Clippers free-agent J.J Redick is reportedly drawing interest from multiple teams, including the New York Knicks. According to Adrian Wojnarowski of the Vertical, the Philadelphia 76ers emerge as the top suitor for the sweet-shooting guard because of its ability to offer more money.
The veteran NBA insider also mentioned the Brooklyn Nets as another strong suitor for Redick. Like the Sixers, the Nets have the cap space to put a big offer on the table. On the other hand, the Knicks have expressed some interest as well, although they need to clear up some room first before they can afford Redick who is projected to earn $18MM per year.
The Knicks enter the off-season with a goal of putting steady shooters around Kristaps Porzingis. Phil Jackson’s plan to run a full-blown triangle offense next season further backed up the idea that they are going to enlist shooters this summer in order for the system to work. Redick has built a reputation as one of the best three-point gunners in the league, averaging at least 15 points per game on 44.5 percent shooting from the field and 42.9 percent from beyond the arc.
Jackson looking at point guard prospects
Ian Begley of ESPN New York, listed down the prospects the Knicks are currently evaluating. Kentucky’s backcourt De’Aaron Fox and Malik Monk are the popular names of the Knicks’ draft wish-list, but they are also looking at other prospects such as Dennis Smith Jr.
and French playmaker Frank Ntilikina.
Fox, who is reportedly eyeing the Sacramento Kings as the ideal destination for him, is drawing interest from multiple teams – including the Boston Celtics and the Los Angeles Lakers – because of his speed and athleticism. Monk, on the other hand, is another Kentucky guard who can fit well as a playmaker for the Knicks’ triangle offense next season.
Monk fits the triangle
Former NBA player Wally Szcerbiak, who now works as a studio analyst for MSG Network, also believes Monk is a good fit for the Knicks' triangle offense, because of his ability to drive the basket, move without the ball and shoot at a terrific rate. “A system for a guy who’s not a playmaker and used to playing off the ball would be perfect," Szcerbiak said of Monk.
The Knicks are also one of several teams that flew across the Atlantic Ocean to scout Ntilikina in France. Jonathan Givony of DraftExpress.com rates the French kid as the 10th best prospect in the NBA Draft. At no.8, the Knicks are very much in a position to nab this young playmaker, although it would probably take time for him to be a high-impact player for the franchise.
