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The New York Knicks have been connected to two seasoned veteran guards as their possible best-case scenario signings ahead of NBA free agency this year, which officially tips off on Monday.
New York still needs to find a head coach, after surprisingly firing five-year coach Tom Thibodeau despite his largely successful run at the helm. Thibodeau led the Knicks to the playoffs in four of his five seasons, including winning at least one series in three of those stints.
In 2024-25, New York posted a 51-31 record and returned to the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time in 25 years. The newly reconfigured roster thrived around All-NBA stars Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns, plus former All-Defensive Team wings Mikal Bridges and OG Anunoby and wing Josh Hart. The Knicks eventually lost to the NBA Finals-bound Indiana Pacers in six games.
James L. Edwards of The Athletic prescribes the Knicks' biggest needs on the floor for 2025-26 as being an additional shooter and on-ball creator. Edwards also reveals the two top realistic players New York could lure.
2025 Knicks free agency primer is here. Teams can start negotiations with players on June 30.
— a break down of New York’s finances
— Five players who could, maybe be in the taxpayer midlevel range
— players they could look at for minimumshttps://t.co/pU16emXPDo
Per Edwards, the Knicks would be hovering between the first and second luxury tax aprons for next season if they were to bring back young center Ariel Hukporti on his $2 million team option and decline little-used veteran forward P.J. Tucker's $3.5 million option. Provided that happens, New York would boast 10 players under contract.
Edwards believes that either Memphis Grizzlies shooting guard Luke Kennard or Detroit Pistons point guard Dennis Schröder could be had for the $5.7 taxpayer's mid-level exception next season, but cautions that each player could possibly receive a more lucrative offer elsewhere.
Last year in Memphis, the 29-year-old Kennard averaged 8.9 points on .478/.433/.895 shooting splits, 3.3 assists, and 2.8 rebounds a night across 65 healthy bouts.
The well-traveled Schröder played for three teams last year, as his $13 million expiring contract was passed around like a hot potato between the Brooklyn Nets, Golden State Warriors and finally the Pistons. A solid point-of-attack defender, Schröder seemed to settle in to a playoff-bound situation in Detroit, averaging 10.8 points on .378/.302/.833 shooting splits, 5.3 assists, 2.6 rebounds and 0.5 steals off the Pistons bench.
Edwards believes Cleveland Cavaliers guard Ty Jerome, Phoenix Suns point guard Tyus Jones, and swingman Gary Harris could all also potentially be slotted into the club's mid-level exception.
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