New York Knicks: 5 worst FA signings in team history

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - DECEMBER 04: Joakim Noah #13 of the New York Knicks reacts in the second half of a game against the Indiana Pacers at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on December 4, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Pacers won 115-97. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using the photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - DECEMBER 04: Joakim Noah #13 of the New York Knicks reacts in the second half of a game against the Indiana Pacers at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on December 4, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Pacers won 115-97. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using the photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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New York Knicks
New York Knicks Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images /

The New York Knicks have messed up a lot in free agency over the years, offering up some of the worst contracts the league has ever seen.

Being a big market team comes with its advantages. The New York Knicks are as far as it can go when it comes to being a big market team. Given that they are housed in the brightest city on earth, free agency contract negotiations should be at least a bit easier, right?

Unfortunately, that doesn’t appear to be the case for the Knicks, who have struggled a ton when it comes to luring free agents. Most people would immediately point their fingers at the organization and the ownership, quite frankly being pretty much accurate.

The franchise’s issues with recruiting have led to two different kinds of struggles. The first one is not being a serious enough franchise that the top free agents would want to avoid taking their talents to New York. The most recent example of the 2019 free agency period immediately comes to mind.

The second one, and the topic of discussion right here, is being forced to hilariously overpay certain stars, hoping that they would at least consider permanently moving to Madison Square Garden.

Luckily enough, 201 did not see the Knicks overpay for any free agents. Even though some may say that Bobby Portis and Taj Gibson got much larger contracts than they deserve, it should be noted that the team-options could terminate their deals earlier if needed.

As the 2020 free agency approaches, every team reminisces about the best contracts in franchise history. Let’s carry onto that tradition by discussing the worst contracts in Knicks history. Over the years, there have been quite a few and it seems like it can’t get any worse.

P.S. to the Knicks organization: This is not a challenge, please.

Honorable mentions: Jerome James (5 years, $30 million), Larry Brown (5 years, $60 million)