Knicks reportedly front-runners for free agents Monroe, Afflalo
New York Knicks president Phil Jackson took a lot of heat from fans after drafting international unknown Kristaps Porzingis with the No. 4 overall pick in last week's NBA Draft. But as free agency approaches, it appears the Knicks will not be going home empty-handed.
Yahoo Sports/FOX Sports 1 NBA Insider Adrian Wojnarowski reported that New York is the front-runner to land free-agent center Greg Monroe and free-agent guard Arron Afflalo.
Monroe, who is considered by many as a great fit for the triangle offense, has spent his first five seasons with the Detroit Pistons. He averaged 15.9 points and 10.2 rebounds last season, his first averaging a double-double.
Monroe, who is expected to command a maximum contract, is a skilled big man who can hit a mid-range jumper while also taking his defender off the dribble. But he's not a much of a presence on the defensive end, failing to average at least one block a game in each of his five seasons.
Afflalo can defend either wing position and can stretch the floor with his 3-point shooting, hitting 38.5 percent from deep for his career. Afflalo, a nine-year veteran, averaged 13.3 points last season with the Denver Nuggets.
Free agency begins 12:01 a.m. ET on Wednesday.
