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Miami Heat Scouting the Enemy: New York Knicks

By Tristan Tucker

TARRYTOWN, NY - SEPTEMBER 30: Julius Randle #30 of the New York Knicks poses for a portrait during media day on September 30, 2019 at the Madison Square Garden Training Center in Tarrytown, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Michelle Farsi/NBAE via Getty Images)
TARRYTOWN, NY - SEPTEMBER 30: Julius Randle #30 of the New York Knicks poses for a portrait during media day on September 30, 2019 at the Madison Square Garden Training Center in Tarrytown, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Michelle Farsi/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Marcus Morris Sr. #13 of the New York Knicks reacts to a call (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images) /

More Off-season Additions

From there, the Knicks then saw the rest of the market depleting and signed multiple players to contracts (added seven free agents, tied with the Lakers for most free-agent additions). After Randle, Bobby Portis, Elfrid Payton, Wayne Ellington, Reggie Bullock, and Taj Gibson were all signed.

Portis was traded to the Wizards at the 2019 trade deadline in the same deal that involved Otto Porter and Jabari Parker. He impressed in his short stint there, averaging 14.3 points, 8.6 rebounds, and .9 steals, with 40.3% shooting from deep on 4.3 3-pointers attempted, an impressive mark for a big man. Portis was signed to a two-year, $30.75 million contract, with the second year being a team option.

Payton averaged 10.6 points, 5.2 rebounds, 7.6 assists and one steal a game for the Pelicans, taking over the ball-handling role next to Jrue Holiday that Rajon Rondo had held down in the season prior. Payton was hurt for about half of last season, but started 42 of 42 games he played in.

Payton’s shooting ability has been questioned for years, which ultimately led to his trade from Orlando to Phoenix at the 2018 deadline. Last season he improved in this regard, shooting 31.4% from beyond the arc, on 2.5 attempts a game. The Knicks signed Payton to a two-year, $16 million deal, with the second year having just $1 million guaranteed and practically serving as a team option.

Gibson started in 57 of 70 games played for the Minnesota Timberwolves. This was just his second season with the team after being added to a nucleus that included many former Chicago Bulls, including coach Tom Thibodeau, current Miami Heat star Jimmy Butler, Derrick Rose, and Luol Deng.

After the Butler fall-out, the Wolves picked up their play, but it was not enough to make the playoffs. Gibson’s leadership, his 10.8 points, and 6.5 rebounds per game must have caught New York’s eye, because the forward was signed to a two-year $18.45 million dollar deal, with just a $1 million guarantee on year two.

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