Perhaps the most coveted free agent among many fans is Christian Wood. Fans old enough to remember that the Knicks throw money at players who come out of impressive summer league performances might see it a little risky to pay for a player who has only really played one strong season in the NBA. But for the right price, Wood would be a solid addition.
Finding an opportunity after Andre Drummond’s exchange, Wood took advantage of it. He finished the season averaging 22 points per game, along with 10.6 rebounds and 1.5 blocks.
Detroit will prioritize the 24-year-old’s re-signing, which could exclude him from the Knicks market. The prospect of having a max cap space in 2021 – when several prominent free agents become available – could prevent Leon Rose from overspending this off-season.
SNY reported in March that some in the New York front office are “in love” with Wood. Of course, with new additions to both the executive branch and the manager’s ranks, it’s possible that the consensus on the talented striker’s signature may change.
The Knicks need to get by, Wood is young enough to match the competitive timeline of their other developing players, so he’s definitely a potential free agent target.