New York Knicks rumors: Team growing interested in re-signing Maurice Harkless

Recent New York Knicks rumors involving pending free agent Maurice Harkless, as the team has growing interest in re-signing the New York native.

With the NBA season currently suspended, there have been very few New York Knicks rumors floating around. The team was going nowhere fast this season and the suspension is just delaying the inevitable elimination from the postseason.

While things didn’t go as planned for this season, the organization has some hope with a new regime being put in place, headed by former super agent, Leon Rose. Rose took over as team president a few weeks ago but has yet to be able to put his touches on the team.

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Rose will have a busy first season running the front office. He will have a decision to make about the coaching staff, as the team is currently being led by interim head coach, Mike Miller. Miller has gained respect for the job he has done since taking over, but Rose could look to bring in his own people.

In addition to the coaching staff, Rose will have a high lottery pick and plenty of money to spend in free agency. Depending on some decisions the team makes with some team options, the team could have a number of players hit the free agent market this offseason. One of those players is Maurice Harkless.

Harkless was acquired prior to the NBA Trade Deadline from the LA Clippers in the Marcus Morris deal. Harkless was included to match salary, but he is someone that the Knicks have liked having around, and according to sources, have a growing interest in re-signing this offseason.

Marc Berman of the New York Post notes that the organization has liked his performance since acquiring him and is someone they would like to keep around.

Harkless started 10 of the 12 games he has played in with the Knicks. He hasn’t stuffed the stat sheet as Morris did, but Harkless has left a positive impression on the team with his play defensively.

At 6’7″, Harkless has the size to play both forward spots. He is athletic enough to defend some backcourt players as well, giving Miller a versatile player to deploy defensively.

The Knicks were hoping they would get to evaluate him more over the final 16 games of the season, but they may not have that opportunity. Despite that, they like what he has shown and his desire to be with the team is an added bonus.

"“It was a chance for him to showcase to the Knicks and to see if he wanted to be here,’’ a source told Berman. “He always wanted to be a Knick.’’"

It is rare that a player gets traded from a title contender, such as the Clippers, to a team near the top of the lottery in the New York Knicks. However, the Knicks are Harkless’ hometown team and he was happy to be back east. In addition to growing up in Queens, Harkless attended St. John’s.

Harkless will probably never be an All-Star, but he would be a good piece to have on a young team given his experience. With the team not being close to contending, having good locker room presences and someone to help the young guys along is important.

Harkless could fit that role, but the price will be important. As long as it doesn’t cost the Knicks more than his last contract, which was four years for $40 million, they should do their best to bring him back.

The team will have money to spend again and giving some to a player such as Harkless wouldn’t the worst plan.

The New York Knicks should use some of the cap space to take on bad contracts with draft compensations attached first and foremost, but Harkless is someone they should look into retaining as well.