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The New York Knicks will potentially have money to sign a max contract player in the summer of 2019, but they're not going to spend their money irrationally like they have in the past.
According to Marc Berman of The New York Post, New York's brass is only going to give a 2019 free agent the max money if that player can be an immediate difference maker to the franchise.
So essentially, if Kevin Durant, Kawhi Leonard, or Kyrie Irving wants to come to The Big Apple, the Knicks are ready to spend money. Otherwise, they are going to hold onto their cash and develop the players they have on the roster.
According to NBA sources, Knicks brass no longer views 2019 as a make-or-break free-agent summer. The 9-25 Knicks feel their plan can still go on even if they do not sign a big fish in July.
But the Knicks, who are $32 million under the cap, are opposed to giving a 2019 free agent a max-like deal “unless that player would be a dramatic difference maker to the team’s fortunes,’’ a source said.
Kyrie Irving informally announced before the season started that he plans on re-signing with the Boston Celtics, so unless something changes, New York should probably move on from their Kyrie dreams.
Kevin Durant is all about winning championships right now, and the Knicks — even with Durant on the squad — wouldn't be the favorites to win the title.
Finally, Kawhi Leonard has been linked to Los Angeles. There haven't been any reports that have claimed Leonard will give the Knicks a meeting in free agency.
So barring a change, it looks like the summer of 2019 isn't going to be a big splash for the Knicks after all.
