NBA
Featured Video
Who Is Mark Walter?
Detroit Pistons guard Wayne Ellington during the second half of Game 4 of a first-round NBA basketball playoff series, Monday, April 22, 2019, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
Detroit Pistons guard Wayne Ellington during the second half of Game 4 of a first-round NBA basketball playoff series, Monday, April 22, 2019, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)Carlos Osorio/Associated Press

Knicks Rumors: Wayne Ellington, NY Agree to 2-Year, $16M Contract

Rob Goldberg
Jul 1, 2019

The New York Knicks missed out on big free agents like Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, but they remain aggressive in free agency.

The team has reportedly agreed to a two-year deal withย shooting guardย Wayne Ellingtonย worth $16 million, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.

"This isn't the free agency that New York fans imagined, but Knicks gathering group of serious-minded, professional players: Ellington, Bobby Portis, Taj Gibson and Julius Randle. No stars, but Randle's young and talented. It's a hard-playing, competitive group for David Fizdale," addedย Wojnarowski.

Vincent Goodwill of Yahoo Sports first reported the team's plans toย "make a hard run" at the veteran.ย 

Ellington split time last season with the Miami Heat and Detroit Pistons, averaging 10.3 points per game across 53 appearances.

New York has made several notable moves since the start of free agency, reportedly agreeing to deals with Julius Randle, Taj Gibson, Bobby Portis and Reggie Bullock, viaย NBA.com.

While each player could help the team improve upon its league-worst 17-65 record from last season, it's not quite the splash fans were expecting.

"While we understand that some Knicks fans could be disappointed with tonight's news," owner Jim Dolan said in a statement, viaย Tim Bontempsย of ESPN, "we continue to be upbeat and confident in our plans to rebuild the Knicks to compete for championships in our future, through both the draft and targeted free agents."

Stefon Bondyย of theย New York Daily Newsย noted the short-term deals, including Ellington's, keep the cap flexibility to potentially target Giannis Antetokounmpo in 2021.

The 31-year-old Ellington is a 37.9 percent three-point shooter over his career. He also hasn't slowed down much while averaging 12 points per game with Detroit last season, which would be a career high over a full year.

His skill and experience could be valuable on a team that will feature a lot of uncertainty.

Ellington, Bullock and rookie RJ Barrett will likely rotate among the wing spots for the Knicks in 2019-20.

Who Is Mark Walter?