As the Nets’ all important 2016 offseason approaches, they will be taking a detailed look at free agents across the league.
Today, we look at the Knicks’ free agents, and the Nets options as to who they can obtain from the Knicks’ roster.
Langston Galloway: Galloway has emerged into a very fine reserve guard for the Knicks. He shoots 45% from 3, and is a nice playmaker who couples those skills with a solid defensive acumen. Galloway is a restricted free agent, the Knicks have early Bird Rights, and given his impressive start to the season, they very may well take advantage of that and bring him back. However, with Jerian Grant in the fold, the Knicks may decide they need to find a starter, and price themselves out of Galloway. Call it unlikely, but if that occurs, the Nets should look into his services.
Arron Afflalo: Afflalo is a solid shooting guard, but is not as good as his reputation indicates. He has a reputation as a good defender, but has fallen off significantly on that end. However, he is shooting a strong 38.9% from 3, which is in line with his career averages, and can be an asset on the wing for a team. Afflalo has a player option of $8 million, played with Melo in Denver, and says he wants to retire a Knick. It seems likely he exercises his player option, or resigns with the Knicks.
Kevin Seraphin: In limited minutes, Seraphin has been a nice reserve big for the Knicks. He can score the basketball and is decent defensively. The Knicks have some free agents like Seraphin who have been productive this season. Still, they want to add significantly to the roster in 2016, and cannot keep every free agent. Seraphin is worth a look.
Lance Thomas: It has been nice to see Thomas develop into a legitimate reserve wing and smallball 4. Thomas is athletic, and defends well for the Knicks. The Knicks like him, and will likely try to keep him this summer. If they do not, the Nets should target him as a potential low cost addition to the roster.
Cleanthony Early: Early was a second round pick of the Knicks in 2014, who has yet to produce. The Nets have enough fringe youth like Early around the roster.
Derrick Williams: Williams simply hasn’t panned out, and is now in his 5th year in the NBA. He has a $4.6 million player option with the Knicks that, given his struggles, he should exercise. The Nets should pass here.
Sasha Vujacic: Vujacic has been a nice veteran presence for Kristaps Porzingis, Jerian Grant, and the Knicks’ other young players. In that regard, he can help the Nets as a veteran mentor to their younger players if the Knicks do not keep him. However, he has no on court value, and should not be expected to produce in any way.
Louis Amundson: Amundson is a fringe NBA player, and the definition of a journeyman. The Nets should pass on him.
Trades with the Knicks:
-Jack, Karasev, and Ellington for Kyle O’Quinn, Jose Calderon, and two second round picks: This is about the only trade that makes sense involving these teams. For the Nets, they relinquish some of their cap space, but turn Jack into assets, and add O’Quinn to the roster, a nice young big. For the Knicks, they open more future flexibility while trading one piece definitely not in their plans, and one who may not be.
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