Ian Begley, SNY.tv | Twitter |
The Knicks and Reggie Bullock's agent, David Bauman, are working together to reach a new agreement after a medical issue arose that caused the team to question his ability to play a full season, a league source confirmed to SNY.
The Knicks originally agreed on a two-year, $21 million deal with a player option. The medical issue holding the deal up is unclear, but it could lead to New York landing another free agent.
An ESPN report stated that Marcus Morris is reconsidering the two-year, $20 million agreement he reached with the San Antonio Spurs. Morris, according to the report, is considering signing with New York. The club is expected to have additional cap space if it re-works its deal with Bullock, and one SNY source said Tuesday that the team was hopeful of landing Morris in wake of the Bullock issue.
The Knicks had strong interest in Morris entering free agency. One SNY source familiar with the team's thinking, prior to the Bullock issue, said the Knicks were enamored by Morris' toughness and how it could influence their young players.
Members of the organization felt Morris could give New York a veteran presence and toughness to go along with averages of 13.9 points and 6.1 rebounds in 75 games (53 starts). Morris shot a career-best 44.7 percent from the field as well. Yahoo! reported the Knicks have a standing offer to Morris of one-year and $15 million.
Adding Morris would align with GM Scott Perry seeking tough competitors to surround the Knicks young core of RJ Barrett, Kevin Knox, Mitchell Robinson and Allonzo Trier.
The Knicks announced all of their other free agent signings - Wayne Ellington, Taj Gibson, Julius Randle, Bobby Portis and Elfrid Payton - on Tuesday. They didn't include Bullock, for reasons cited above.
In a statement, Perry cited the group's competitive nature.
"Collectively, we're adding a mix of extremely talented and experienced multi-dimensional players who will improve our team as we continue building out a deep and versatile roster," Perry said. "These players are all tough-minded, motivated and ready to compete, and we're excited to have them as part of the Knicks family."
Before accounting for Bullock's deal, the Knicks have $14.8 million in cap space with their new free agents on the books, according to ESPN's Bobby Marks. If they offered that to Morris, it would leave the $4.7 million exception for Bullock or veteran's minimum for Bullock.
ESPN first reported the Knicks and Bullock re-working their agreement.