There’s no greater need for the New York Knicks roster than a capable playmaker behind Jalen Brunson. Could veteran point guard Kyle Lowry be an option for the contending hopefuls?
Fred Katz of The Athletic mentioned the six-time All-Star in a column canvassing free agent candidates for the Knicks’ mid-level exception.
“Lowry plays an aggressive style that would fit in well with New York’s defensive identity, though he can’t run an offense like he once did,” Katz wrote on June 11. “He’s 38 and another season won’t make him any sprier, though he will never stop taking charges.”
Katz dubbed New York’s mid-level exception as the team’s “greatest tool” for upgrading the roster this offseason.
“The greatest tool the team has at its whim, the one it could use to address any of these most pressing problems, is the midlevel exception, which it can use to sign a free agent or trade for a contracted player.”
For the 2023-2024 season the number was $12.4 million. It’s undetermined what it will be for 2024-2025.
Lowry is coming off of his 18th NBA campaign, and at 38 years old is looking for his second career championship. He averaged 8.1 points, 4.2 assists, and 1 steal per game this season.
Katz: Lowry Was ‘On Knicks’ List’ in 2023
Katz wrote that New York was in play for the veteran before he signed with the Philadelphia 76ers midseason.
“Lowry was on the Knicks’ list after a buyout with the Charlotte Hornets last winter, according to league sources,” Katz wrote. “Though he eventually signed with the 76ers.”
Charlotte bought out Lowry after receiving a future first-round pick as incentive to acquire him from the Miami Heat.
He subsequently signed with the 76ers for the rest of the season and $2.8 million.
Ultimately, the Knicks struck deadline deals for OG Anunoby, and Alec Burks and Bojan Bogdanovic. Miles McBride manned backup point guard in the playoffs, and minutes without Jalen Brunson were a major negative.