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NBA: Pending Free Agents Who Need A Change Of Scenery

By Maxwell Ogden

Apr 7, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Toronto Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan (10) and Atlanta Hawks center Al Horford (15) fight for the ball during the second half at Philips Arena. The Hawks defeated the Raptors 95-87. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 7, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Toronto Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan (10) and Atlanta Hawks center Al Horford (15) fight for the ball during the second half at Philips Arena. The Hawks defeated the Raptors 95-87. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 20, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; New York Knicks guard Arron Afflalo (4) against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center. The Knicks defeated the Timberwolves 103-95. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 20, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; New York Knicks guard Arron Afflalo (4) against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center. The Knicks defeated the Timberwolves 103-95. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports /

Arron Afflalo, New York Knicks

Contract Status: Player Option
Position: Shooting Guard
Age: 30 (10/15/1985)
Slash Line: .443/.382/.840
Season Averages: 33.4 MPG, 12.8 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 2.0 APG, 1.3 3PM

The New York Knicks have one of the more solid shooting guards in the NBA in Arron Afflalo. As Afflalo weighs his player option, however, he must face the reality that New York wants to move him to the second unit.

If Afflalo isn’t willing to become the Knicks’ sixth man—and all signs point to him being against it—then he needs to leave New York.

The harsh reality is that Afflalo’s game is actually well-suited for the role of a sixth man. He’s an aggressive scorer when he’s given the green light, operating from midrange, posting weaker defenders up, and spacing the floor from 3-point range.

It’s much harder for those type of players to find their rhythm when they spend so much time playing second-fiddle to the star.

A shining example is Afflalo averaging 17.4 points during his two seasons with the Orlando Magic. His production fell below 13 points per game in New York, but that’s not a product of a decline in ability—just a reality that spending extended minutes off-ball limits his impact.

Afflalo would be an exceptional sixth man—a role that would permit him to play on-ball for significant stretches—but only if he changes his tune and actually embraces it.

Next: From Sixth Man to Starter?