Target #1: Fred VanVleet – Toronto Raptors – 2019-20 Salary: $9.4M (Expected: $18M-$22M)
It is no secret that the Knicks will be all-in for Fred VanVleet this offseason as rumors of the Knicks targeting him have been circulating since last summer. Reports by Stefan Bondy at the New York Daily News suggest that the Raptors are expected to retain combo-guard, but if any team is going to make a serious run at stealing him from Toronto, it will be the New York Knicks.
It is expected that VanVleet will get a 4yr/$85M contract, much like the one Malcolm Brogdon got when he signed with the Indiana Pacers last season. FVV is definitely worth the investment for the Knicks for the sole fact that they need a reliable, proven guard who has championship pedigree and experience to lead them. The former Wichita State star was one of the most improved players a season ago when he averaged 17.6 points, 6.6 assists and 1.9 steals while shooting 41.3% from the floor and 39.0% from deep in 54 games for the Raptors.
The backcourt of Fred VanVleet and Kyle Lowry has made up arguably the best two-way backcourt in the NBA over the last two seasons and VanVleet has emerged on his own as a player who can stand on his own. He is a major reason the Raptors won their franchise’s first championship in 2019 and can use his experiences to help bring the Knicks back from the dead.
Elfrid Payton, Dennis Smith Jr. and Frank Ntilikina all have not panned out the way the Knicks have wanted at the point guard position and as a result, bringing in Fred VanVleet to lead the Knicks would give them a reliable point guard for years to come. VanVleet can score, pass, defend, and checks all the boxes for the New York Knicks, which is why signing him makes perfect sense for the direction Leon Rose wants to take this organization.
After passing on drafting a point guard in the 2020 NBA Draft, it should signal that they will make a run at signing Fred VanVleet in free agency. He needs to be the Knicks main priority this offseason and would be the perfect free agent target for the New York Knicks.
