The Knicks have no plans at the moment to buy out any of their veteran players on expiring or pseudo-expiring contracts, according to Steve Popper of Newsday.
The Knicks began their post-All-Star schedule hoping to make a push for a playoff spot in the East and not intending to prioritize playing youngsters over veterans if it compromised their ability to win games. That philosophy has meant that players such as Reggie Bullock, Bobby Portis and Taj Gibson are still key contributors rather than buyout candidates.
While it’s possible the Knicks will adjust their approach to late-season player development as their postseason hopes continue to fade, their position on buyouts isn’t expected to change, says Popper. The Knicks still view many of their veteran contracts – several of which include team options or small partial guarantees for 2020-21 – as potential trade assets for the offseason, Popper adds.
Besides Bullock, Portis, and Gibson, Wayne Ellington and Maurice Harkless are among the vets who fit the mold of a typical buyout candidate, at least to some extent. However, if those players aren’t interested in buyouts, the Knicks would have little to gain from pursuing them — they already has one of the NBA’s lowest payrolls for 2019-20 and the savings would be minimal.
Additionally, none of those players has more than $1 million in guaranteed money on their contracts for next season, so they could be easily cut loose if no trade materializes in the offseason and the Knicks decide to move on. The only real benefit to moving on from them now would be to open up an immediate roster spot or two for developmental projects.
For what it’s worth, players such as Portis and Harkless have publicly
suggested they’re not looking to go the buyout route.
