Could the sunset represent an opportunity for the New York Knicks?
With finances in trouble amid a three-man crisis (Bradley Beal, Devin Booker, Kevin Durant), the Phoenix Suns released forwards Nassir Little and EJ Liddell on Wednesday, with insider Shams Charania suggesting management has plenty to offer its young talents like Ryan Dunn and Oso Ighodaro.
Phoenix’s loss may well be the Knicks’ gain.
While Little and Liddell likely won’t shake things up on a dormant class of remaining free agents, they provide relatively manageable opportunities for the Knicks to shore up their position depth, perhaps the only overlooked area in an otherwise productive offseason that has already netted former Suns star Mikal Bridges.
Neither Little nor Liddell will solve the Knicks’ Mitchell Robinson problem at the five, but New York would still be wise to shore up its position after Julius Randle. There’s no doubt that recently re-signed Precious Achiuwa can fill both roles, but he remains one of the Knicks’ most coveted and mobile assets at the trade deadline, at least among those with a name.
Randle’s depth is vital, not because the Knicks will lose faith in their three-time All-Star, but rather because of financial and medical woes. There’s not much to say about the long-term decision the Knicks need to make regarding his contract, but each of Randle’s last two playoff trips have been marred by injuries. For now and down the road, the Knicks need to have a reliable, sustainable backup plan.
Liddell, who has played eight NBA games under his belt, will likely need more work in the G League, but Little is an interesting case. Best known for his four seasons with the Portland Trail Blazers (delivered to Phoenix as part of the multi-way deal that landed Damian Lillard in Milwaukee), Little has also struggled with injuries but has enough potential as a five-year veteran at 24 to warrant a late tryout.
Few things seem to have left a lasting impression on Phoenix executives during his brief time in the desert. Durant, for example, called him a “real pro” as he juggled new fatherhood and trying to secure a lasting role in Phoenix’s rotation last winter.
“He understands his routine, he understands the business of basketball. So some nights you might not get that opportunity, but when you do, you have to take full advantage of it,” Durant said, according to Gerald Bourget of PHNX Sports. “I see his confidence growing. I see someone who understands his role every time he steps on the field.”
Time will tell if the Knicks will benefit from Phoenix’s departures. While the Knicks have exhausted all of their two-way contracts (Ariel Hukporti, Kevin McCullar Jr., Jacob Toppin), they still have one roster spot open heading into September.
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