Related
With the Knicks' major moves in free agency all in the books and the final grades on how they did issued, it’s time to take a detailed look at who the newest members of the Knicks are and what they bring to the team.
JULIUS RANDLE• 24 years old (will turn 25 in November), sixth season• 6 feet 9 inches, 250 pounds• Key 2019 stats: 21.4 points, 8.7 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 2.8 turnovers, .524/.344/.731 shooting, 2.7 3PA/6.7 FTA per game, .600 TS%• Reported contract: Three years, $63 million; third-year team option
USA TODAY Images Bad: Randle's defense is ... not good. Without great elevation, he is a poor rim protector, and his pick-and-roll defense is also weak. He can pass but too often wants nothing more than to get to the rim and shoot. His 3.1-to-2.8 assist-t-turnover ratio is not good, either. Does his bruising style overlap too much with RJ Barrett's?
Bottom Line: Randle brings much-needed efficient scoring and is young enough to continue to improve. He could potentially make an All-Star game one day and become part of the Knicks' young core. According to Tommy Beer of Forbes, the former New Orleans Pelican was only one of five players last year to average more than 21 points, eight rebounds and three assists per game. The other four? Giannis Antetokounmpo, LeBron James, Anthony Davis and Karl-Anthony Towns.
REGGIE BULLOCK• 28 years old (will turn 29 next March), seventh season• 6 feet 7 inches, 205 pounds• Key stats: .392 career 3PT%, 6.2 3PA per game (.377 shooting) in 2019• Reported contract: Two years, $21 million; second-year team option
Good: Bullock has developed into one of the game’s top 3-point shooters with high volume and is your prototypical 3-and-D wing that NBA teams crave.
Bad: Can’t create his own shot or playmake and is only solid, but not great, on defense.
Bottom Line: The Knicks desperately needed players to stretch the floor this past season, and Bullock will do that. He will be a very important rotation player and could start if things fall a certain way. Good contract.
WAYNE ELLINGTON
• 31 years old (will turn 32 in November), 11th season• 6 feet 5 inches, 200 pounds• Key stats: .379 career 3PT shooter, 37.1% 3PT on 7.0 3PTA per game in 2018-2019• Reported contract: Two years, $16 million; second-year team option
Good: Like Bullock, Ellington is an efficient volume 3-point shooter. He can catch and shoot with a quick release on kickouts or running off screens.
Bad: Ellington is not a very good defender and lacks playmaking/driving ability on offense. He is more of a shooting guard than a small forward.
Bottom line: The Knicks desperately needed shooting, so this deal, which could be considered an overpay in a vacuum, needed to get done due to the team’s desperation.
BOBBY PORTIS• 24 years old (will turn 25 next February), fifth season• 6 feet 11 inches; 250 pounds• Key 2019 stats: 14.2 points, .444/.393/.794 shooting, 3.8 3PTA per game, 8.1 rebounds, 0.4 blocks.• Reported Contract: Two years, $31 million; second-year team option
Good: A legitimate stretch big man who can play power forward or center. He is still young, and as a former first-round pick (22nd overall in 2015), may continue to improve. He is a good offensive big man who can extend his range beyond the 3-point line and rebound.
Bad: He was ranked 89th out of 93 power forwards in ESPN’s DRPM (defensive real plus-minus) ratings and is a poor rim protector. He once punched Bulls teammate Nikola Mirotic in the face during practice, breaking two bones. Portis will have to share his minutes with Mitchell Robinson, Julius Randle and newly acquired Taj Gibson.
Brad Mills/USA TODAY Sports TAJ GIBSON
• 34 years old (just turned 34 in June), 11th season• 6 feet 9 inches, 232 pounds• Key 2019 stats: 10.8 pts, 56.6% FG, 6.5 rebounds, 0.6 blocks in 24 minutes per game• Reported contract: Two years, $20 million
Good: Gibson may be well on the wrong side of 30, but there hasn’t been a ton of slippage in his game. He is still a rugged defender who can switch and play good team defense, rebounds well and is efficient around the hoop offensively.
Bad: Gibson is older and not a part of the team’s long-term future. He is the fourth wheel in the big-man rotation, which makes his contract look even more onerous given the limited minutes he will likely play.
Bottom line: Even though he is another big man, there might not be a better player than Gibson to set an example of how to be tough and professional and how to work hard on defense for the Knicks' young players.
ELFRID PAYTON
• 25 years old (will turn 26 in February), sixth season• 6 feet 4, 185 pounds• Key 2019 stats: 10.6 points, 7.6 assists, 5.3 rebounds, .434/.314/.743 shooting• Reported contract: Two years, $16 million; second-year team option
Good: Payton is a good athlete with size who can get to the rim, and find teammates with a decent passing skill set. His size gives him the tools to play good defense.
Bad: His shooting remains a big problem, and there are reasons to think it might not get better. It severely limits his growth potential.
Bottom line: The contract is fine, and Payton will have to earn playing time against Dennis Smith Jr., Kadeem Allen and Frank Ntilikina at point guard.