NBA Rumors: Knicks Get Another Rising Star In Portis From Free Agency

The New York Knicks continue to build their frontline after falling short of the Kevin Durant sweepstakes. After announcing the signing of Julius Randle and Taj Gibson, the Gotham City-based squad has also come to terms with Bobby Portis. The 24-year-old becomes the third expensive big man to join the franchise.

According to Adrian Wojnarowski, the Knicks and Portis agreed to a two-year deal worth $31 million. The Washington Wizards will rescind their qualifying offer to 22nd pick of the 2015 NBA Draft for him to sign up with New York as an unrestricted free agent, The Athletic added.

Most are left amazed at how the 6-foot-11 cager was able to recover such money especially after rescinding a qualifying offer from the Chicago Bulls last NBA season. Per Yahoo Sports, Portis rejected a $40-50 million extension from the Bulls before he was sent to the Wizards along with Jabari Parker and a 2023 second round pick for Otto Porter.

Several teams were linked to him, including the Los Angeles Lakers. What should be interesting now is how he will fit into the system of coach David Fizdale. Aside from Randle and Gibson, New York also have other promising stars such as Mitchell Robinson, RJ Barrett and Kevin Knox to name a few. But Portis should easily gain the nod of Fizdale as a starter is his flexibility. He can play as a stretch center or power forward – a luxury for the Knicks if they want to have a fast-running team on the floor.

As mentioned in a previous post, Portis averaged 14.2 points, 8.1 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 0.7 blocks, and 0.4 steals in 26 minutes per game between the Chicago Bulls and Washington Wizards last season. It will be interesting if he can sustain or improve on those numbers as a Knick next season – something that will probably depend on how he will be utilized although there is a possibility he may be used more extensively on the floor.

With the Lakers, he would have been a logical fit although there was that risk of sacrificing playing time. Other teams that were linked to him include the Los Angeles Clippers, Utah Jazz, Milwaukee Bucks, and the Orlando Magic.