The New York Knicks Eyeing Versatile Two-Way Free Agent to Bolster Depth, Defense, and Championship Hopes for 2024-25 Season Push

The New York Knicks Eyeing Versatile Two-Way Free Agent to Bolster Depth, Defense, and Championship Hopes for 2024-25 Season Push

The New York Knicks have steadily transformed from a perennial rebuild project into a legitimate contender in the Eastern Conference. Their progress under the leadership of head coach Tom Thibodeau and President of Basketball Operations Leon Rose has been marked by tough defense, smart roster building, and a culture shift led by Jalen Brunson’s emergence as a franchise cornerstone. However, while the Knicks are close to breaking into the top tier of NBA contenders, there’s still one piece they could be looking to add — a dependable two-way role player via free agency who can complement their stars and solidify their title chase.

As the 2024-25 season looms large, the Knicks find themselves with a deep but very specific rotation. With OG Anunoby re-signed, Mikal Bridges acquired, and Donte DiVincenzo, Josh Hart, and Julius Randle returning, the Knicks have a strong core of versatile defenders and scorers. But there’s still room — and need — for another plug-and-play wing or guard who can contribute on both ends of the floor, particularly in high-pressure playoff environments. Ideally, this player would be a low-maintenance, high-impact presence who doesn’t need the ball to be effective, can hit the three, guard multiple positions, and step into a larger role when injuries or matchups require it.

Enter the possibility of adding a veteran two-way role player in free agency — someone who understands their role, has postseason experience, and can elevate the bench unit or close games depending on the situation. While the Knicks aren’t chasing superstars right now, finding the right role player could be just as valuable.

Names like Derrick Jones Jr., Kelly Oubre Jr., Delon Wright, Torrey Craig, or even a reunion with Alec Burks could be floated as potential targets. Each offers a different flavor, but all fit the mold of a two-way contributor with the flexibility to guard across positions, hit open shots, and bring toughness that aligns with the Knicks’ identity.

Derrick Jones Jr. is one of the most intriguing names on the market. Fresh off a strong playoff run with the Dallas Mavericks, Jones proved he could defend elite wings, switch across positions, and hit timely corner threes. He fits perfectly in a Thibodeau system predicated on physical defense and transition opportunities. Though he’s not a high-usage scorer, he understands his role, stays in front of his man, and competes on every possession. In a Knicks rotation that already features defensive-minded wings like Anunoby and Bridges, Jones could be a perfect situational player who takes pressure off the starters and soaks up difficult defensive matchups when needed.

Kelly Oubre Jr., on the other hand, offers more offensive upside. He can create his own shot, get out in transition, and has shown the ability to average double-digit scoring. Oubre’s length and athleticism allow him to defend wings and even small-ball fours. While consistency has been an issue at times, his energy and effort would be welcome off the bench, especially in games where the Knicks need a spark or find themselves in foul trouble. His scoring punch could serve as a buffer on nights when Randle or Brunson rest or struggle.

Delon Wright is a different type of role player but fits the Knicks’ needs well. A defensive-minded combo guard with veteran savvy, Wright brings ball-handling, perimeter defense, and experience to the table. He’s the kind of player Thibodeau would trust to run second units or help close games against shifty guards. While his offensive output is limited, his ability to make smart plays, control tempo, and create turnovers could give the Knicks a steady hand in tight moments.

Torrey Craig would add playoff-tested grit and toughness to the mix. With experience in deep postseason runs with Denver and Phoenix, Craig knows what it takes to win. He guards multiple positions, rebounds well for his size, and hits timely shots. He’s not flashy, but he’s reliable — the type of veteran you win playoff series with.

Then there’s the option of bringing back Alec Burks. A former Knick who thrived under Thibodeau, Burks is familiar with the system, can handle the ball, shoot off the dribble, and play multiple positions. He’s a proven late-game option and brings an element of calm to high-leverage situations. His versatility as a combo guard makes him a natural fit in this team’s rotation, especially if the Knicks move Immanuel Quickley in a future trade for a bigger star.

The financial implications of any signing would have to be carefully considered. The Knicks have limited cap flexibility, and would likely need to use part or all of the mid-level exception or veteran minimum slots to secure one of these names. But with New York so close to contention, the value of smart spending in the margins becomes even more critical. Every minute matters in the postseason, and the difference between a second-round exit and a trip to the Conference Finals can come down to a sixth or seventh man delivering in crunch time.

One key to this pursuit is the cultural fit. Thibodeau is notorious for demanding effort, toughness, and accountability. Not every player responds well to his intense coaching style, but those who do often flourish. The Knicks’ core — especially the Villanova trio of Brunson, Hart, and DiVincenzo — has set a high standard of professionalism and selflessness. Any free agent addition would need to buy into that ethos immediately. That’s part of why the team might lean toward players with known locker-room stability and playoff poise.

There’s also the strategic layer. The Knicks are not just trying to win games — they’re trying to build a team that can beat Boston, Milwaukee, and Philadelphia in a seven-game series. That requires depth, switchability, and players who don’t get hunted in the postseason. A two-way role player, if chosen wisely, can swing entire playoff series. We’ve seen it time and time again — Bruce Brown in Denver, Derrick White in Boston, or even Josh Hart last year in New York.

Adding the right role player could also help manage minutes and keep the roster fresh. One of the criticisms Thibodeau has faced is his reliance on heavy minutes for starters. By deepening the rotation with a trustworthy vet, the Knicks could avoid burnout and injury risks while maintaining defensive intensity and offensive flow.

For fans, the excitement around the Knicks this offseason is more than just hype. The team is coming off back-to-back playoff appearances for the first time in over a decade. Jalen Brunson’s ascension into an All-NBA guard has changed the trajectory of the franchise. OG Anunoby’s return, combined with the addition of Mikal Bridges, gives New York perhaps the best defensive wing tandem in the league. But to take the next step — to get through the gauntlet of the East — they need more than just stars. They need glue guys. They need bench scorers. They need versatile defenders who can step up when it matters most.

Free agency isn’t always about landing the biggest name. Sometimes, the most impactful moves are the quiet ones — signing the seventh man who wins you Game 5, the eighth guy who plays 18 flawless minutes when someone rolls an ankle, the player who doesn’t need the spotlight but shines when it finds him. That’s what the Knicks are after now. Someone who fits, complements, elevates.

The New York Knicks have the structure. They have the momentum. They have the stars. Now they just need the finishing touches — and that starts with free agency. Signing the right two-way role player could be the difference between another strong season and a banner run through the Eastern Conference. The front office knows it. The coaching staff knows it. And if the right deal is made, the fans in Madison Square Garden will know it too — as their championship dreams inch ever closer to reality.