New York Knicks: Realistic targets in NBA free agency

NBA free agency center targets for the New York Knicks

Kelly Olynyk

After being traded to the Houston Rockets last season, we all finally got the chance to see what Kelly Olynyk could do if given big minutes on a nightly basis. And he did not disappoint. In 27 games with the Rockets, he averaged 19 points, 8.4 rebounds, 4.1 assists, 1.4 steals, and 0.6 blocks in 31.1 minutes per game while posting gaudy shooting splits of .545/.392/.844.

Olynyk scored at least 16 points in 20 and scored 20-plus points in 15 of those games. He also notched 11 double-doubles during his time with the Rockets, including a stellar performance against the Philadelphia 76ers, where he recorded a stat line of 27 points, 11 rebounds, 8 assists, and 3 blocks.

Adding the 6’11 former lottery pick addresses the franchise’s needs for long-range and front-court depth.

Cody Zeller

Signing Cody Zeller would be purely a depth move. He’s a smart basketball player, but he’s not great at any one skill, but he’s good at almost everything. There isn’t a large market for centers that can’t stay healthy and don’t stretch the floor, so the price tag to sign someone like Zeller shouldn’t be very high.

Should the Knicks choose to exercise their team option and guarantee the final year of Mitchell Robinson’s contract, Zeller can slot in as his backup and provide serviceable minutes off the bench.

Daniel Theis

Daniel Theis is undersized for his position, but he’s a smart player and can hold his own against taller opponents. Another guy that isn’t really a shot-blocker, but he’s a solid post-defender and excellent defending the pick-and-roll.

His knack for doing the “dirty work” and willingness to play physical fits perfectly with Thibodeau’s coaching philosophy and the culture he’s building in New York.

Robin Lopez

Robin Lopez is another smart, savvy veteran who could help improve the Knicks around the margins while taking another step forward as a team. While he’s not an elite shot-blocker, he does a pretty good job protecting the rim and altering shots around the basket.

Something that doesn’t get talked about enough is his offense. He never really looks for his own shot as that’s never been his role, but he’s also an efficient and effective scorer. 42.1 percent of his 425 field goal attempts came from within the restricted area last season, and he converted 70.9 percent of them.

Lopez should cost around the same as Noel did this past offseason, maybe slightly less given his lack of shot-blocking. At the very least, defending Julius every day at practice should help the Knicks’ star player improve.