Fred VanVleet fits the Knicks’ future
Overall, Fred VanVleet fits the New York Knicks’ future more than Chris Paul does. Paul is toward the end of his career and is already 35 years old. Knowing the New York Knicks’ recent fortunes, there’s a chance that as soon as they get their hands on Paul, he begins to show a certain decline.
VanVleet is almost 10 years younger and will offer similar production. He fits with the Knicks’ current core and timeline. Plus, he could be some $18-20 million cheaper than Paul too. If the Knicks could get VanVleet at $20-22 million per season, it would be a value signing. They’d still have salary cap room heading into the 2021 offseason and a core three of VanVleet, Barrett, and Robinson.
The New York Knicks won’t be competing for an NBA Championship over the next 2-3 years (unless they get their hands on Giannis Antetokounmpo), but signing players like Fred VanVleet are the little moves that could go a long way in the team’s road back to redemption in the Eastern Conference.