2017 NBA free agency grades: New York Knicks sign Jarrett Jack
With one last hole to fill on the roster, the New York Knicks decided to make veteran point guard Jarrett Jack the newest addition to the 2017-18 rebuild.
It has been no secret around the league that the New York Knicks were in the market for a low-cost veteran point guard to help mentor first round lottery pick Frank Ntilikina. The name Jarrett Jack was heavy on the Knicks radar, along with other veteran point guards like Archie Goodwin and Trey Burke.
Jack appears to be the winner of the coveted final spot on the roster heading into training camp this fall. According to ESPN’s Ian Begley, Jack’s agreement with the Knicks is for one year and is not fully guaranteed. The decision to not give Jack a fully guaranteed deal is a strong precaution against his constant injury woes over the past few seasons.
The 13-year veteran has sustained several injuries over the past two seasons, limiting his play and value. Jack suffered a ACL injury early in the 2015-16 season as a member of the local rival Brooklyn Nets, ending his year immediately. The following season he was waived by the Atlanta Hawks during training camp after not being fully recovered from the injury, followed by a brief stint with the New Orleans Pelicans that ended prematurely due to a season-ending meniscus tear in his right knee.
Injuries aside, Jack has had a decent NBA journey with stints as a member of both the Cleveland Cavaliers and Golden State Warriors, where he served as the primary backup for superstar Stephen Curry. Jack’s career averages serving as a sixth man many times in his career are 11 points and 4.5 assists per game. He has made a career out of being aggressive on the offensive side of the ball with the ability to penetrate and hit clutch baskets from beyond the arc.
The key component for Jack’s effectiveness as a veteran point guard on the team will be helping Ntilikina as he adjusts to the NBA game. The 19-year-old French native has limited life experience and will need a guide to deal with the everyday life of a professional basketball player in the United States.
Jack’s relationship with former teammate Curry as a mentor could have helped to sway Knicks general manager Scott Perry’s decision, especially after reading Jack’s 2015 NY Post interview while with the Nets.
"“Our relationship is much deeper than basketball. Most of the discussions we have, the topic isn’t even about basketball. It’s about other stuff, life stuff, I look at Steph like a little brother, but he’s somebody that I look up to and try to be like in a lot of ways. What he said at his MVP speech, to take time out to acknowledge me during a moment where he deserved all of the acknowledgment, it was amazing. It was very, very humbling, I was really, really taken back.”"
Jack’s relationship and hopeful bond with the young guards will be his ticket to a guaranteed deal with the Knicks moving forward. The days of trying to be the firepower off the bench may be over, as the focus will be developing young talent and guiding them the right way through the league. Healthy or not, Jack will need to do more talking than playing if he’s to remain on the Knicks’ roster.
Next: Complete 2017 NBA offseason grades for all 30 teams
Grade: C+