New York Knicks: Pros and cons of signing Fred VanVleet in free agency
Positives about VanVleet
VanVleet is having his best season yet at 26 years old. He is averaging 17.6 points, 3.8 rebounds, 6.6 assists, and 1.9 steals during 35.7 minutes per game with a slash line of .413/.390/.848. That stat line correlates to his 27.4 percent usage rate, which places him in the 79th percentile of the league.
VanVleet has proven these past two seasons that he’s a key player on the Raptors by being a two-way player. We cannot forget him locking up Steph Curry in the 2019 NBA Finals and how he is currently putting on a show in the Orlando bubble with his ability to move off-ball, take step-back three-pointers, and create angles to attack the rim.
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Fred VanVleet with the crafty left-handed finish. Raps looking a little better so far in the 3rd. pic.twitter.com/AuSYsziAa4
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) September 8, 2020
VanVleet has also demonstrated that he is a leader in the locker room. He isn’t necessarily the most vocal of the bunch. Still, his work ethic and grind from Wichita State to the 905 Raptors – where he won a championship – and then to become a champion on the Toronto Raptors, speaks volumes of his ambition and determination.
Bringing in a champion who has a chip on their shoulder into the locker room should (and probably would) inspire the current Knicks to continue their grind. We already see videos of the young guys continuously training. So, having a leader who has accomplished the highest achievement would only add fuel to the fire.
However, even though the Knicks should pursue Fred VanVleet because he is a talented guard and would fit the timeline of a rebuilding Knicks team, there are concerns about signing the crafty guard to a massive deal this offseason.