The NBA trade deadline has come and gone, but the Knicks aren\u2019t done adding to the roster.<\/p>\n
New York was able to shed enough salary through its series of trades at the deadline \u2014 moving Guerschon Yabusele to Chicago for Dalen Terry and then Terry to New Orleans for Jose Alvarado \u2014 that it can enter the buyout market immediately. The Knicks have an open roster spot.<\/p>\n
The addition of Alvarado was the answer to New York\u2019s concern about backup ballhandling this season. It still, though, has a hole in the front court, with second-year center Ariel Hukporti not yet looking ready to provide long, positive minutes in a playoff series if needed. Given Mitchell Robinson\u2019s injury history, it may behoove the Knicks\u2019 decision-makers to add another veteran center as insurance behind Robinson and Karl-Anthony Towns. The team could also elect to add another wing player, one who can guard bigger ballhandlers in a pinch if needed and knock down 3s.<\/p>\n
With New York being over the first apron and up against the second, it cannot sign a player who made, or makes, $14.1 million this year before being bought out. For more context, a player must be waived by or on March 1 to be eligible for the postseason with his new team. So, the Knicks have some time to wait and see who will be available and makes the most sense for their roster, but they will eventually fill the final roster spot.<\/p>\n
Here, I\u2019m going to look at five potential buyout candidates who might make the most sense for New York to add to the roster.<\/p>\n
1. Chris Boucher, F\/C<\/p>\n
The 33-year-old big man was waived by the Jazz after being traded to Utah from Boston, where he just couldn\u2019t find the floor.<\/p>\n
Boucher isn\u2019t perfect. He\u2019s 6-foot-8 and weighs 200 pounds soaking wet. He\u2019s not a physical presence by any means, but he can hit an open 3 and blocks shots. Would he want to come to New York and only play in garbage time or if an injury happens? I\u2019m not sure, especially since time might be ticking on his career and he might want to go to a place where he can try and stick beyond this season.<\/p>\n
However, for the Knicks, Boucher would be an upgrade over Hukporti this season and does have postseason experience, having won NBA titles in 2018 and 2019.<\/p>\n
2. Marvin Bagley III, C, Dallas Mavericks<\/p>\n
Bagley was recently traded to the Mavericks after a solid season with the Wizards. He\u2019s still on Dallas\u2019 roster and even played 24 minutes the other night, but the Mavericks aren\u2019t trying to win and have several frontcourt bodies already. Bagley might get bought out by March 1 to go somewhere else, though it\u2019s not set in stone.<\/p>\n
Bagley would be an overqualified third center for the Knicks. He can score with his back to the basket and is a good lob threat. Bagley isn\u2019t a good defender, but he can block shots on occasion.<\/p>\n
In terms of talent, Bagley might be the Knicks\u2019 best big-man option if he does end up splitting with the Mavericks.<\/p>\n
3. Haywood Highsmith, F<\/p>\n