Knicks Urged to Sign Pelicans SF

The New York Knicks could sign one of the league's most overlooked free agents.

Apr 27, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Pelicans Forward Naji Marshall (8) handles the ball against the Oklahoma City Thunde during the second quarter of game three of the first round for the 2024 NBA playoffs at Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports | Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports

If the New York Knicks are going to continue their ascent on their journey towards an NBA championship, they are going to have to keep making some shrewd moves in free agency.

Signing players like Jalen Brunson, Isaiah Hartenstein and Donte DiVincenzo, who have improved since coming to the Knicks, has been key to New York's success. And they may have to do that again this summer.

Bleacher Report suggests that the Knicks should sign New Orleans Pelicans forward Naji Marshall, who saw his 3-point percentage improve to over 37 percent this past season.

"If the shooting is for real—and his 77.6 career free-throw percentage lends some hope it might be—then you're talking about a 6'7", 220-pound energetic defender with an obvious way of helping your offense," Bleacher Report writes. "Oh, and the 26-year-old should be right on the verge of entering his prime. This should all probably put him out of New York's price range, but the fact there's some risk that his shooting touch evaporates hardly makes that a guarantee."

Marshall has improved in each season since entering the league as an undrafted free agent in 2020. This past season, Marshall averaged 7.1 points per game, which is a dip from the previous year, though his playing time also decreased.

Signing Marshall would be a risk, but there's a lot of upside to like. He's the ideal size for a wing defender, making him a potential favorite for coach Tom Thibodeau. The Knicks also have a few players who can fit the mold for this spot, so if Marshall doesn't pan out, it wouldn't be a total loss. But if he hits, it could be that small step forward that gets the Knicks even further than this year.

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