Knicks should sign former No. 1 pick guard as low-risk, high-reward free agent option

The New York Knicks are prioritizing the improvement of their bench rotation under new head coach Mike Brown following a season where they ranked near the bottom of the NBA in both bench points and minutes. After acquiring free agents Jordan Clarkson and Guerschon Yabusele, the team is reportedly considering giving an opportunity to former number one overall pick Markelle Fultz to further strengthen their reserves.

Fultz, 27, has experienced an injury-plagued and tumultuous NBA career since being drafted first in 2017. His most recent stint with the Sacramento Kings saw limited production (2.9 points, 1.3 assists in 8.8 minutes per game over 21 games). However, during a healthier five-season tenure with the Orlando Magic (2019-2024), Fultz showed potential, particularly in the 2022-23 season where he averaged 14.0 points, 5.7 assists, 3.9 rebounds, and 1.5 steals on 51.4% shooting in 60 games. His defensive contributions, including a 0.7 defensive box plus-minus that season, also went underappreciated.

The article suggests that if the Knicks are willing to offer Fultz a chance to contribute spot minutes for their championship-aspiring team, and if he stays healthy, signing him could become one of the more underrated moves of the 2025 offseason.