Knicks Named ‘Optimistic’ Free-Agency Landing Spot for Nuggets Scorer

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Mike Brown, Boston Celtics

The New York Knicks boast one of the best rosters in the NBA. Nevertheless, the front office will still be searching for ways to improve the team during the offseason.

According to Bleacher Report’s Zach Buckley, a move for Tim Hardaway Jr could be ideal for New York, especially if they struggle to retain sharpshooter Landry Shamet. Buckley labelled Hardaway Jr as an ‘optimistic’ target for the Knicks.

“If New York can’t afford to keep Landry Shamet, Hardaway could be a cost-effective replacement,” Buckley wrote. “He has long been able to pile up threes in bunches, and he has never shot them more efficiently. He also has a working knowledge of what it means to be a Knick, having already served two tenures with the team.”

Hardaway Jr was originally drafted by the Knicks with the 24th pick in 2013. He spent two seasons with the franchise before landing with the Atlanta Hawks. Hardaway Jr then spent another one and a half seasons in Madison Square Garden between 2018 and 2019.

This season, Hardaway Jr is thriving as part of the Denver Nuggets bench unit. In 75 games, he’s averaging 13.8 points, 2.6 rebounds and 1.4 assists, shooting 54.5% from 2-point range and 41% from deep. His blend of three-level scoring would give New York’s second unit a legitimate offensive boost.

Hardaway Jr is on a one-year deal with the Nuggets. He will become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season.

Knicks Could Also Target Bones Hyland

According to Buckley, another potential, more realistic option to boost the Knicks’ rotation could be Bones Hyland. 

“The Knicks could poke around for cheap ball-handlers, and they might see Hyland as capable of giving them a lot of what they hoped they’d be getting from Jordan Clarkson,” Buckley wrote. “Hyland is more scorer than table-setter, but New York already showed a willingness to accept that archetype by bringing in Clarkson in search of bench buckets.”

Like Hardaway Jr, Hyland is on a one-year contract with the Timberwolves. He will become an unrestricted free agent in the summer. It’s also worth noting that Hyland will likely be available on a cost-controlled deal.

In 64 games for the Minnesota Timberwolves, Hyland is averaging 8 points, 2.6 assists and 1.6 rebounds, shooting 57.7% from two-point range and 39.2% from three. He would provide a spark off the bench, either as a ball-handler or off-ball threat.

Knicks Focus Has To Be on Mitchell Robinson

Before looking at potential free agent acquisitions, the Knicks will have to figure out the impending free agency of Michell Robinson. The 7-footer is heading into his own unrestricted free agency, and given his importance to Mike Brown’s team, the Knicks will likely want to keep him around.

Of course, Robinson is expected to generate interest from other teams around the NBA. After all, Robinson has been a reliable presence for the Knicks this season. He’s suited up for 55 regular-season games so far, starting 15 of them.

It will be interesting to see how things play out with Robinson and what that means for the Knicks’ flexibility in both the free agency and trade markets. Nevertheless, a potential move to bring Hardaway Jr back for a third spell with the franchise could be smart business. That is, assuming the Knicks center rotation remains intact.

Adam Taylor is a basketball reporter covering the Boston Celtics, Los Angeles Lakers, Golden State Warriors, New York Knicks and Miami Heat for Heavy. He holds bylines for CelticsBlog, USA Today and Yardbarker. Adam also covers the WWE and AEW. He has a bachelor’s degree in creative writing from Open University. More about Adam Taylor