Knicks Could Sign Mavericks Forward
The New York Knicks are considering all options for free agency, including the ones that don't necessarily fit the team's current agenda.
While the Knicks hope to retain OG Anunoby, he could walk in free agency, leaving the team with a need at the forward spot. The Athletic's Fred Katz suggests that Dallas Mavericks forward Derrick Jones Jr. could be an option in free agency.
"Jones does not fulfill a current need, but if the Knicks make a trade that leaves them yearning for another forward, the 27-year-old could click," Katz writes. "He’s part of the crew most responsible for the Dallas defense’s midseason turnaround. Jones will guard wings or big men. The Chicago Bulls once deployed him as their backup center. Meanwhile, his activity around Luka Dončić and Kyrie Irving has helped make up for an inconsistent jumper. But the Mavs might be too successful to let him walk. Dallas is in the NBA Finals for a reason. Chances are, it wouldn’t let one of its starting wings head elsewhere without putting up a fight."
Jones will have suitors in free agency beyond the Mavs, so it will be competitive to sign him, especially coming off of a deep playoff run. However, he fits the Knicks really well if Anunoby were to walk.
His defensive versatility helps tremendously and the Knicks could get very creative with lineups if he is on the floor.
While he isn't spectacular on the offensive end of the floor, he did make strides this season with the Mavericks. His 8.6 points per game were a career-high and he started more games this year than any other season in his career.
This means that Jones could get his biggest payday ever in free agency this summer, and if he allows the market to permeate and wait for an offer that will grant him the most money possible, the Knicks could end up being a player in his sweepstakes.
Free agency negotiations have begun with internal free agents, but teams can talk with players outside of their team and even agree in principle to deals on June 30 at 6 p.m. ET.
JEREMY BRENER
Jeremy Brener is an editor, writer and social media manager for several Fan Nation websites. His work has also been featured in 247 Sports and SB Nation as a writer and podcaster. Brener has been with Fan Nation since 2021. Brener grew up in Houston, going to Astros, Rockets and Texans games as a kid. He moved to Orlando in 2016 to go to college and pursue a degree. He hosts "The Dream Take" podcast covering the Rockets, which has produced over 350 episodes since March 2020. Brener graduated in May 2020 from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism minoring in Sport Business Management. While at UCF, Brener worked for the school's newspaper NSM.today and "Hitting the Field," a student-run sports talk show and network. He was the executive producer for "Hitting the Field" from 2019-20. During his professional career, Brener has covered a number of major sporting events including the Pro Bowl, March Madness and several NBA and NFL games. As a fan, Brener has been to the 2005 World Series, 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 NCAA National Championship between the Villanova Wildcats and North Carolina Tar Heels. Now, Brener still resides in the Central Florida area and enjoys writing, watching TV, hanging out with friends and going to the gym. Brener can be followed on Twitter @JeremyBrener. For more inquiries, please email jeremybrenerchs@gmail.com.