Knicks Rumors: NY 'Not Interested' in 2nd-Tier FAs Amid Kevin Durant Buzz
The New York Knicks are reportedly focused only on the biggest fish available on the 2019 free-agent market.
During a segment Thursday on Get Up, ESPN's Brian Windhorst said he has heard that the Knicks are not interested in signing "second-tier" free agents. Windhorst reported that in reference to a question about whether New York could be in on Charlotte Hornets guard Kemba Walker.
The Knicks have been heavily linked to both the Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, but if New York is unable to land them or players of their caliber, Windhorst noted that the organization is prepared to move forward with the young players it already has.
SNY's Ian Begley recently reported on the Knicks' interest in Durant and Irving, as well as reigning NBA Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard.
Begley noted that even though KD could miss all of 2019-20 with a torn Achilles, "some" within the Knicks organization still want to offer him a deal max deal of four years and $141 million.
Irving is reportedly also of interest to the Knicks, but representatives of teams in pursuit of Irving feel he favors signing with the Brooklyn Nets if he does not return to the Boston Celtics.
Begley also reported that the Knicks plan to "aggressively pursue" Leonard, but ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski believes Kawhi will either re-sign with the Toronto Raptors or sign with the Los Angeles Clippers.
If the Knicks strike out on all three of those players, they may not make a major splash in free agency. Where the first tier ends and second tier begins is subjective, but Windhorst's report seemingly suggests that the Knicks may not pursue the likes of Walker, Jimmy Butler, Tobias Harris, Khris Middleton and Nikola Vucevic.
Instead, the Knicks would continue to develop the likes of Kevin Knox, Dennis Smith Jr., Mitchell Robinson and Frank Ntilikina. New York also owns the No. 3 overall pick in Thursday's 2019 NBA draft and is expected to select Duke's RJ Barrett.
The Knicks finished with the NBA's worst record last season at 17-65, and if they don't hit it big in free agency, there could be more growing pains in store in 2019-20.
