New York Knicks: The case for signing Fred VanVleet in free agency

Fred VanVleet’s leadership

Even at just 26 years old, Fred VanVleet could have a huge influence on the New York Knicks and their culture. He found success at the college level (going to back-to-back Sweet 16’s with Wichita State) and then won an NBA Championship last season with the Raptors. Playing beside Kyle Lowry and Kawhi Leonard, you can only imagine what VanVleet was able to absorb from a leadership standpoint.

He was also one of the team’s biggest leaders this season, and would almost instantly inject this franchise from that standpoint. He has a championship pedigree and could be an extension of Tom Thibodeau on the floor. VanVleet is young, but very much experienced at the same time.

He’s the type of player that fits right into Thibodeau’s system, being a strong player on both ends of the floor. VanVleet might not be as big of a name as Chris Paul, but he’d certainly bring at least some level of leadership to a team that desperately needs it.