The New York Knicks are getting ready to offer veteran forward Elton Brand a deal, according to ESPNNewYork.com, citing a league source. The details of the offer have not been released.
Elton Brand has been a Knicks target since the beginning of the free agency period.
Brand has had pretty solid career. He has career averages of 17.4 points per game, 9.1 rebounds and 1.8 blocks. In the 2012-2013 season Brand averaged 7.2 ppg, 6.0 rpg and 1.25 bpg in 21.2 minutes per game. It’s safe to say he gives the Knickerbockers something they need—scoring and rebounding. This move may prove the Knicks are not confident star forward Amare Stoudemire will be healthy next season.
In addition to possibly adding Brand, the Knicks have already made a trade for Andrea Bargani. This gives the team two serviceable—possibly above average—players at the four position. Also, Brand may be able to play center if necessary—something Knicks fans may want to see if Tyson Chandler has another performance similar to how he played against Roy Hibbert in the Eastern Conference semi-finals.
Brand is originally from Westchester County in New York, about an hour outside of New York City.
If the Knicks have Brand, Bargnani, Stoudemire and Chandler, they will mostly likely forego re-signing power forward Kenyon Martin.
With a healthy Stoudemire the Knicks would have a secure front line. However, the team still has work to do in the backcourt. Sixth Man of the Year J.R. Smith may go elsewhere during the free agency period and guard Pablo Prigioni is deciding whether or not to stay with the team or go back to professional ball in Spain.
A source said Tuesday that "both [point guard] Nate Robinson and [small forward] Matt Barnes have notified the Knicks of their interest. They're waiting to see where the Knicks are.”
