5. Jimmy Butler
The Knicks have enough money to potentially lure any big name free agent to New York. Jimmy Butler is a player most teams would have at the top of their lists, but for New York, he will likely be viewed as a backup plan. This has nothing to do with Butler’s talent. Instead, it’s because signing Butler will likely mean New York missed out on Kevin Durant and/or Kawhi Leonard.
If Butler were to end up in New York he would bring an all-star level of talent on both offense and defense. Averaging 18.7 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 4.0 assists, Butler put together another good season last year. It has to be taken into account that Butler shared the floor most nights with fellow stars Ben Simmons, Joel Embiid and Tobias Harris.
Defensively, Butler’s size and athleticism make him a very good defender. He can guard every position in the backcourt. This is a skill that makes him very versatile. He would be an anchor for the Knicks defense, and a player with leadership experience to build around. Offensively, Butler has the ability to shoot from anywhere on the floor and can take over a game on any given night.
While Butler would likely be Plan B, he would still be a great player to sign and build around. This is especially true if the Knicks are able to pair him with another star on this list.