ORLANDO, Fla. _ The New York Knicks were looking for a point guard to back up Derrick Rose, and also start when needed, and found just that in Brandon Jennings.
The Knicks reached an agreement with Jennings, according to multiple league sources. He will get a one-year, $5 million contract. Jennings later tweeted he would be a member of the Knicks.
"Can't wait to play in the Mecca!! Excited to be joining such a historic franchise @nyknicks!!!" Jennings wrote Monday afternoon.
Later in the day, the Knicks also came to terms on a multiyear deal with their own free agent, Lance Thomas, a source said. They were still working out the number of years, but Thomas will get the "early-bird exception," starting at roughly $6 million for 2016-17.
The Knicks can't announce any signings until the moratorium ends Thursday, but this could be a very good, under-the-radar signing for a team that has been very busy and productive during this free-agent negotiation period.
They've already reached deals for starting center Joakim Noah and shooting guard Courtney Lee. Jennings gives the Knicks a talented player off the bench to spell Rose or play alongside him. Jennings is only 26, and has career averages of 15.5 points and 5.9 assists.
But in keeping with the theme of the Knicks this summer, they picked up another player who has battled injuries lately. If Rose, Noah and Jennings can stay healthy and turn back the clock a few years, the Knicks should have enough to make the postseason for the first time since 2013.
All three players want to prove they can play at an All-Star level again, and with Rose and Jennings in contract years, they'll be especially motivated.
The Knicks' starting five right now are Rose, Lee, Carmelo Anthony, Kristaps Porzingis and Noah, with Jennings, Thomas, Kyle O'Quinn and Justin Holiday off the bench.
Team president Phil Jackson and general manager Steve Mills still have work to do, but they're assembling a team that could be interesting.
Jennings, the No. 10 pick by the Bucks in 2009, was an explosive player when he first came into the league. Jennings averaged at least 15.5 points his first five seasons, playing for the Bucks and Pistons. He scored 55 points as a rookie against Golden State.
He was averaging 15.4 points for the Pistons when Jennings tore his Achilles in January 2015. He didn't return until midway through the 2015-16 season. Jennings was traded from Detroit to Orlando for Tobias Harris in February. Jennings played in 48 games last season, and averaged 6.9 points and 3.5 assists for the Pistons and Magic.
After locking up Noah (four years, $72 million) and Lee (four years, $48 million), the Knicks had limited money under the cap. To clear cap space for Jennings, they rescinded the $2.7-million qualifying offer to Langston Galloway, making him an unrestricted free agent.
The Knicks could still sign Galloway, which was one of their goals in free agency, but it will be more difficult now. They likely will renounce their other free agents Derrick Williams, Sasha Vujacic, Lou Amundson and Kevin Seraphin.
They made it a priority to bring back Thomas, a glue guy off the bench.
The Brooklyn native is a consummate professional, a solid defender and he can shoot. He averaged 8.2 points in 59 games. He received interest from the Thunder and Timberwolves, among other teams, but Thomas wanted to return to the Knicks.
They're also expected to bring over last year's second-round pick Willy Hernangomez from Spain on a multiyear deal, and will see what low-priced veterans they can add
Jackson has said he can clear more room, so it's possible he could trade O'Quinn or Holiday to a team that can absorb their contracts. Once the Knicks use up their cap, they will have the $2.898 million room exception to offer free agents.
