The Knicks finished with the worst record in the NBA, miles away from even sniffing postseason contention. But they have a significant presence at NBA playoff games this spring.
According to the New York Post, Knicks GM Scott Perry has sent scouts all over since the playoffs began to evaluate impending free agents and possible trade candidates with a huge summer on the horizon.
Head coach David Fizdale also plans to attend games soon with some of the younger Knicks players, per the Post.
The Knicks have a chance to sign two max free agents this summer, but they're not scouting the likes of Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, which would probably be a waste of time.
Instead, the Post reports, the Knicks are lasering in on guys who could become targets if Durant and Irving go elsewhere, such as Milwaukee's Khris Middleton, Philly's Tobias Harris and Orlando's Nikola Vucevic. They're also reportedly eyeing role players who could make an impact such as Wesley Matthews, who was waved by the Knicks after the midseason Kristaps Porzingis trade before joining the Pacers.
"You don't see a lot of the pro scouts still out there in the playoffs,'' a source told the Post. "But the Knicks feel this year the first and second rounds are a good bang for the buck."