New York Knicks: 3 free agents to take a flyer on

3. Dwayne Bacon

The Knicks were linked in potential trades with the Charlotte Hornets featuring Terry Rozier and the recently suspended Malik Monk. Under no circumstances should the Knicks give up assets for either of those players, especially Rozier. Signing their teammate, restricted free agent Dwayne Bacon, is a different story.

After opening the year in the starting lineup, Bacon was Wally Pipped by Devonte’ Graham. I’m not just talking out of the starting lineup but out of the rotation entirely.

Bacon needs to find some consistency at both ends of the court. That’s usually a theme for players on lists like these.

So why should the Knicks want this guy? Well, after he was bounced from the rotation, Bacon didn’t quit. He asked to be sent down to the G-league instead and dropped 51 points for the Greensboro Swarm. Scoring 51 points at any level is impressive.

It feels like Bacon’s time in Charlotte is likely done. He told The Charlotte Observer’s Rick Bonnell back in February, “Maybe I’m not meant for this organization or maybe they don’t want me. I don’t know.”

That’s good news for the New York Knicks. Bacon is capable of making big defensive stops like this one against Bradley Beal.

And you have to love the way he fights over the Amir Johnson screen to contest the Jimmy Butler 20-footer.

Part of Bacon’s success last season was his play around the rim.

According to Cleaning the Glass, he attempted 38 percent of his field goals at the rim last season and 44 percent this season.

The difference, as you probably guessed, last season they went in at a high clip (68 percent), and this season they didn’t (43 percent).

Last season: Bacon drives right at Myles Turner for the bucket.

This season: Bacon drives away from Karl-Anthony Towns – no basket.

Last season, Bacon shot 43.7 percent from 3-point range on 2.0 attempts per game and 44.9 percent on catch and shoot 3s.

This season, those numbers dipped to 28.4 percent and 25.6 percent, respectively. Strangely, Bacon was attempting fewer 3s per game. They just weren’t falling.

Bacon’s improvement from his rookie to sophomore years was very promising, but a move into the starting lineup wasn’t right for him.

The Knicks can move Bacon back to his more natural role off the bench.