With free agency underway, let’s take a look at three targets the Knicks will have this offseason.
Isaiah Hartenstein
Position: Center
Age: 26
They took Mitchell Robinson’s injury as an opportunity and turned it into a huge reward. That reward may not come from the Knicks because they have only so much to offer.
Hartenstein enters free agency as arguably the best center on the market and is the Knicks’ biggest question mark going into free agency.
He battled a sore Achilles tendon but was largely durable, becoming New York’s most physical and aggressive paint protector.
Mason Plumlee
Position: Center
Age: 34
It’s a fluid position for the Knicks, so they’re sticking with center.
Depending on what happens with the Knicks’ payroll, they could either use one of their taxpayer mid-level exceptions ($5.1 million) or just a minimum contract to sign an unrestricted free agent.
Plumlee is a tough, physical, affordable option.
He was a perfect fit with Thibodeau and has been a big part of the NBA for over a decade.
Plumlee was once a slam dunk contest competitor, but while his athleticism has diminished, he still has excellent passing ability.
Kyle Lowry
Position: Point guard
Age: 38
Wouldn’t it be better to go full Nova?
Lowry has taken a step or three back, but it was just two years ago that he was a key to helping the Knicks beat the Heat in the second round of the playoffs.
He’s a leader, a fan of Tom Thibodeau and was apparently scouted by Josh Hart before Lowry signed with the Sixers last season.
The Knicks certainly need depth at point guard, and Lowry would provide a veteran presence if he’s willing to sign at the mid- or minimum-level taxpayer level.
