The New York Knicks hired David Fizdale in May 2018 with the hope that he could help the franchise attract big time free agents to The Big Apple.
Miami Heat legend Dwyane Wade said last season he believes Fizdale can help the Knicks attract star free agents. Wade and Fizdale spent many years together with the Miami Heat when Fizdale was the top assistant coach. Wade knows firsthand what type of impact Fizdale has on players, and the future Hall of Famer claimed guys in the league want to play for him.
The Knicks, who missed out on Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving this summer, reportedly lured Fizdale with a plan of signing marquee free agents, per ESPN's Tim MacMahon on Brian Windhorst's The Hoop Collective podcast. This obviously hasn't happened yet, as New York used its cap space on veteran players this summer, guys who don't move the needle for the Knicks.
Article Continues BelowIt must have been tough for the Knicks to watch the Brooklyn Nets get Durant and Irving. The allure of playing in Madison Square Garden isn't that enticing for players anymore since the Knicks have been a walking disaster for years under the ownership of James Dolan.
Fizdale is making a nice check with the Knicks, but he might be privately regretting taking the job since not much has gone right since he arrived. Kristaps Porzingis requested a trade, the Knicks didn't get the No. 1 draft pick in the 2019 draft, and KD and Kyrie took their talents to the other team in New York.