New York Knicks News: Kevin Seraphin Signed
New York Knicks News: The Knicks were able to land the big man they had been scouring the free agent market for, signing former Washington Wizards center Kevin Seraphin.
Better late than never for the New York Knicks, as they finally landed the big man they were looking for in recent weeks. The big man they were able to snag was power forward/center Kevin Seraphin formerly of the Washington Wizards. According to Mike Scotto of Sheridan Hoops, the deal is for one-year and will pay him $2.8 million as the Knicks used their room exception to bring him into the fold.
Seraphin has spent his entire five year career with the Wizards and came into the offseason looking to land in a spot he could get a starting job. But, he was met with a cold market for that, and his missing out on a starting spot is the Knicks gain.
Last season Seraphin averaged 6.6 points and 3.6 rebounds as his career has plateaued a bit with the Wizards. His best season came in 2011-2012 when he averaged 7.8 points, 4.9 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game. That defensive potential is probably what pushed Seraphin ahead of someone like Carlos Boozer on the Knicks’ wish list. You know what you are going to get with Boozer, but it is a lot lower of a ceiling. Seraphin offers more upside and better potential.
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Seraphin is the latest in a multitude of moves made by Phil Jackson to improve the Knicks front court. Robin Lopez and Kyle O’Quinn were also signed as free agents, while the Knicks selected Kristaps Porzingis with the fourth overall pick. At this time, it looks like Seraphin will battle with O’Quinn for minutes backing up Lopez, but the backup center job could be his if O’Quinn is used as the starting power forward next to Lopez.
That is one of the things the Knicks will have to figure out during training camp, as there seems to be one or two openings in the starting lineup. Lopez, Carmelo Anthony, Arron Afflalo are probably locks, with Jose Calderon being a strong candidate at point guard as well. One of the forward spots is probably up for grabs as Derek Fisher will have to see what combination of players work best together.
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What Fisher and Jackson know for sure heading into training camp is that their rebounding and interior defense needs to improve, and their signings reflect that. Lopez, O’quinn and Seraphin should all help in those areas as the Knicks made a wholehearted effort to improve their front court. Last season the Knicks ranked 28th in the NBA in defensive efficiency and had the third worst rebounding differential in the league; both should be improved upon with the trio they added.
The Knicks should also be happy to have Seraphin because he is a threat offensively. Last season, of the 242 players that 100+ finishing opportunities in the half court, Seraphin ranked 9th, scoring on 63.3 percent of his attempts. That will be nice for the Knicks who need people to emerge behind Anthony to score the ball and have lacked a scoring presence on the inside.
Seraphin could provide that off the bench behind Lopez. He is a good signing for the team as he comes at a fair price and is a good backup center. He will provide good insurance in case the injury bug bits the team again. Like some of the players the Knicks signed this season, such as Derrick Williams, Seraphin has a chip in his shoulder and is looking to prove he’s worth more money and a bigger role. Motivation combined with a chance to prove himself is what Seraphin needs, and the Knicks are going to give it to him.
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