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NBA Free Agency: Grading all 30 teams on signings and trades

By Josh Cornelissen

TAMPA, FLORIDA - JANUARY 29: Kyle Lowry #7 of the Toronto Raptors waves to his family during a game against the Sacramento Kings at Amalie Arena on January 29, 2021 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.
TAMPA, FLORIDA - JANUARY 29: Kyle Lowry #7 of the Toronto Raptors waves to his family during a game against the Sacramento Kings at Amalie Arena on January 29, 2021 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. /
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NBA Free Agency
NBA free agency Photo by Steven Ryan/Getty Images /

2021 NBA Free Agency Grades: New York Knicks

Key Additions: Evan Fournier (4-yr, $78 million); Kemba Walker (undisclosed)

Brought Back: Julius Randle (4-yr, $117 million extension); Derrick Rose (3-yr, $43 million); Nerlens Noel (3-yr, $32 million); Alec Burks (3-yr, $30 million); Taj Gibson (1-yr, minimum)

Key Departures: Reggie Bullock (Dallas)

The New York Knicks were active in the first 24 hours of free agency, working out deals to bring back the majority of their rotation from last season, a magical year where everything (including opponent’s 3-point shooting) came together for a winning season and a Top-4 seed.

That seemed a fine option for this team, but it ignored their biggest need (point guard) and seemingly capped their upside. The one addition they made early on was signing wing Evan Fournier, who has size and is an excellent shooter off-the-catch who can operate as a team’s secondary or tertiary creator. Paying him nearly $20 million per season is a lot, and will likely prove to be an overpay, but two-way wings of his caliber don’t grow on trees.

The linchpin to the offseason came later, as point guard Kemba Walker agreed to a buyout with the Oklahoma City Thunder and will be signing a two-year contract with the Knicks with their remaining cap space, probably around $9 million per season. If Walker’s knee holds up he becomes one of the biggest bargains of the offseason, bringing instant shot creation and shooting to their starting lineup and alleviating the load Julius Randle bore on his shoulders last season.

Speaking of Randle, the final stroke of the offseason came Thursday when it was announced that he and the Knicks had agreed to a four-year, $117 million extension that will kick in after this upcoming season. That contract will pay him an average of $29.27 million per season, which ranks just 43rd in the league. It’s a great value for an All-NBA forward who played above his head last season, not overpaying but locking in a franchise building block for the next five years.

None of the re-signings were great values, but with team options on the final season for Rose, Noel, Burks and Fournier it becomes that much more reasonable.

Grade: A-

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