The New York Knicks won’t be making any splashy moves in free agency this offseason, but that doesn’t mean they can’t make key depth upgrades with what they can spend.
The Knicks can use the $5.6 million taxpayer exception to sign free agents this year. The exception can be split to sign numerous players, and the contracts cannot exceed two years in length. They can also use the veteran minimum.
SNY’s Ian Begley mentions Al Horford as a potential target for the Knicks in free agency.
“I think the Knicks will take a look at the guard market for a bench player. Also, ESPN reports that Celtics veteran Al Horford will have a robust market this offseason,” Begley wrote. “ I think the Knicks will also at least check in on Horford’s situation in Boston. The Celtics shed salary by trading Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis and they certainly want Horford back, but are limited in what they can offer the veteran big man.”
“Just as an aside: Horford has a close relationship with Karl-Anthony Towns,” Begley added.
The Knicks current center depth is rather thin. Mitchell Robinson, Towns, and Ariel Hukporti are the only big men on the roster at the moment.
Horford, 39, averaged 9.0 points and 6.2 rebounds per game last season with the Celtics. The five-time All-Star was key to the team’s run to the championship in 2024, and when the team reached the NBA Finals in 2022. The Celtics have already signaled that they are headed in a different direction next season, potentially leaving the door open for the Knicks to swoop in and snag the veteran big man.
