An insider is rooting for the New York Knicks to ink a still-unsigned free agent sharpshooting Western Conference forward to a new contract.
The Knicks have been relatively steady during the offseason in terms of on-court changes. Instead, the big transition was ownership’s decision to fire head coach Tom Thibodeau and install another former two-time Coach of the Year, ex-Sacramento Kings head coach Mike Brown.
After a stint as an assistant coach on the Golden State Warriors, Brown has demonstrated far more offensive flexibility than Thibodeau generally did, and could help open up New York’s offense a bit.
Under Thibodeau, two-time All-NBA Second Team point guard Jalen Brunson has been leaned on heavily as the club’s offensive fulcrum. With a possibly more egalitarian approach from Brown, five-time All-Star center Karl-Anthony Towns — and maybe even All-Defensive Team wing Mikal Bridges — could get far more touches.
The Knicks did add two solid rotation pieces in free agency this summer, without losing anyone. New signings Guerschon Yabusele, a power forward, and combo guard Jordan Clarkson should be able to contribute right away.
Michael Pina of The Ringer proposes that New York consider adding a little more shooting help on the perimeter.
wrote about 5 unrestricted free agents who still don’t have a home, and tried to find a good fit for each one (if such a thing exists) https://t.co/Hv9nSpSf3C
— Michael Pina (@MichaelVPina) July 29, 2025
Pina advocates for several contenders — including the Knicks, the Golden State Warriors and the Miami Heat — to consider bringing aboard free agent L.A. Clippers forward Amir Coffey.
“Coffey is 28 years old and 6-foot-7 and can’t be left alone behind the arc,” Pina writes. “He’s consistent, understands his limitations, and was the longest-tenured Clipper other than Kawhi Leonard and Ivica Zubac before the club decided to go in a different direction.”
Pina notes that the Clippers do have an opening on their standard 15-man roster for Coffey, but bringing him in would move L.A. into the league’s first luxury tax apron.
“Bottom line: This is a dependable NBA rotation player. Why don’t the Golden State Warriors sign him? Or the New York Knicks? Or the Miami Heat?” Pina wonders. “A good team should sign him.”
Across 72 contests for a pretty good 50-32 Clippers squad, Coffey averaged 9.7 points on .471/.409/.891 shooting splits, 2.2 rebounds and 1.1 assists a night. The fact that he’s remained unsigned this long is a bit surprising.
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