2017 NBA free agency: 5 worst signings of the summer

3. Ron Baker, New York Knicks: Two years, $8.9 million

Like Felicio, Ron Baker was undrafted entering the league, and last season competed in 52 games as a rookie. In his debut season, Baker played as a backup ball-handler to Derrick Rose, while also seeing intermittent time with the Westchester Knicks, the team’s G-League affiliate.

Overall, Baker posted 4.1 points and 2.1 assists in 16.5 minutes per game. His efficiency was far from impressive, shooting at a 37.8 percent clip from the field and 26.7 percent from three-point range. Furthermore, one particularly alarming stat was Baker’s three-point shooting from the corners. Converting at just a 23.3 percent clip, for a spot that is considered one of the most efficient on the court, is clearly an area of his game that requires refining.

At this stage, Baker’s primary strength is his effort level and hustle on the defensive end. At 6’4″ and 220 pounds, Baker makes up for his lack of elite foot speed by utilizing his size and strength on this end of the floor, in a similar vein to Matthew Dellavedova of the Milwaukee Bucks.

So while Baker certainly has some promise being just 24, signing him to such a generous amount, albeit just for two seasons, seems a rather odd move by the Knicks’ front office. In addition, the second-year of Baker’s deal is a player option, meaning the Knicks have given Baker all the leverage despite his extremely limited resume.

Among the various reactions around the league on this deal, the following tweet from renowned Knicks’ beat writer, Frank Isola, summed up the general consensus:

So it seems despite Phil Jackson having departed the Big Apple, the Knicks seemingly still can’t help themselves.