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The New York Knicks kicked off Day 2 of free agency much the way Day 1 played out, swiftly agreeing to a two-year, $16-million deal with free-agent wing Arron Afflalo, according to Ramona Shelburne of ESPN.
The second year is said to be a player option, which explains in part how the Knicks were able to land the veteran unrestricted free agent on friendly annual terms.
Afflalo declined a $7.9-million player option with the Portland Trail Blazers, seemingly to cash in on a larger deal, and while the Knicks contract isn't that, it affords him the flexibility to re-enter the market when the cap jumps in either 2016 or 2017, at age 30 or 31.
Afflalo struggled through an underwhelming year by his standards in 2014-15. He was traded from the Denver Nuggets at the deadline and never really found his stride in Portland, averaging 13.3 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 1.7 assists, down from his previous three-year averages of 16.7, 3.5, and three, respectively.
A quality multi-position defender and career 38.5 percent 3-point shooter, Afflalo's a good bet to bounce back and deliver value on the deal for New York. It's a logical signing for the Knicks, who are still searching for that elusive second star to pair with Carmelo Anthony.
Adding a two-way player on a reasonable deal and maintaining long-term flexibility is the best way for the Knicks to methodically build back to contention, even if the lack of a splashy move may be frustrating for fans and for the 31-year-old Anthony.
