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Knicks News: Marshall Plumlee Signed To Guaranteed Deal

By Kenneth Teape

Mar 17, 2016; Providence, RI, USA; Duke University Blue Devils center Marshall Plumlee (40) reacts during the second half of a first round game against the UNC Wilmington Seahawks in the 2016 NCAA Tournament at Dunkin Donuts Center. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 17, 2016; Providence, RI, USA; Duke University Blue Devils center Marshall Plumlee (40) reacts during the second half of a first round game against the UNC Wilmington Seahawks in the 2016 NCAA Tournament at Dunkin Donuts Center. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports /
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New York Knicks news continues to roll in, as they dipped into the undrafted free agent market again, signing former Duke big man Marshall Plumlee.

New York Knicks news has been rampant throughout the week as they have made multiple additions to the roster. The biggest one was the acquisition of Derrick Rose in a trade with the Chicago Bulls, also netting Justin Holiday. They also added some players from the 2016 NBA Draft class.

Despite not owning a pick in the draft, the Knicks didn’t waste time afterwards signing undrafted free agents. Minutes after the draft concluded, the Knicks signed Ron Baker, formally of Wichita State, to a partially guaranteed one-year deal. He is not the only undrafted free agent the Knicks have signed, as they have also signed Marshall Plumlee.

The former Duke Blue Devil agreed to a guarnateed, undrafted free agent deal with the Knicks according to Shams Charania of The Vertical.

There were some people that believed Plumlee could sneak into the second round of last night’s draft, but instead he slipped out of the draft altogether and became a free agent. It is a solid addition for the Knicks, who are looking for bodies in their front court after trading away Robin Lopez in the Rose trade.

Plumlee’s stats from Duke won’t wow you, as he averaged only 8.3 points, 8.6 rebounds, 1.1 assists per game with 2.8 fouls. It was the first time that Plumlee received extended playing time in his college career, and while his stats aren’t great he was an integral part of Duke’s success last season.

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He was the only true big man that they had last season after Amile Jefferson went down with an injury, as he anchored the team in the middle. While he is very raw offensively, he can hang his hat on his motor and athleticism, which enables him to excel defensively.

Plumlee is a strong rebounder and shot blocker, who is long and athletic standing 6-feet-11 inches tall, weighing 211 pounds. He knows his role on the court, as he will not try doing too much and is the quintessential role player as he will do the dirty work on the inside.

The Knicks must have seen something that they liked, as they gave him a guaranteed contract despite going undrafted. He is an older player at 24 years old, but you know what you are getting from him.

Plumlee was a leader for Duke, bringing along with him a strong work ethic. He is part of the Army reserves, and may miss some time because of his military service, which speaks to his character, but it won’t impact his NBA future.

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This is a solid addition to the back end of the Knicks roster, as their big men rotation will look drastically different this season with Plumlee and Willy Hernangomez coming into the fold to replace Lopez.

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