New York Knicks: Free agency was boring, but that’s a good thing
By Chip Murphy
The New York Knicks found value in free agency
Signing Austin Rivers, 28, to what is essentially a one-year contract was a steal. Getting a legitimate scoring threat in his prime to agree to such a reasonable salary was another feather in Rose’s cap. It’s another deal that will be very easy to trade. The fascination around point guard Austin Rivers makes no sense to me. Just let Rivers be Rivers. That means looking for his own shot.
Nerlens Noel could be sneaky the best signing of the bunch. He is coming off his best shot-blocking season since his sophomore year — when he was with the Process Sixers and stats meant nothing. Noel doesn’t add the rim protection that Mitchell Robinson does, but he’s an improvement over the complete lack of rim protection New York had last season without Mitch. In addition, the former Kentucky product should enjoy a reunion with Kenny Payne.
But the most promising decisions of Rose’s debut offseason were his non-moves. The rookie POBO resisted the temptation of the big move/quick fix. It’s something that we’ve rarely seen in New York.