Knicks Rumors: UDFA Ron Baker Signing One-Year Deal
New York Knicks Rumors: The Knicks wasted no time adding talent via the undrafted player pool, reportedly signing Ron Baker out of Wichita State.
New York Knicks rumors wasted no time picking back up after the 2016 NBA Draft. While the Knicks were shutout of the festivities on draft night, as they did not have a pick, they got right to work once things were finished up. The Knicks look like they struck early in the undrafted free agent pool.
According to Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical, the Knicks agreed to a one-year, partially guaranteed deal with Wichita State’s Ron Baker.
Sources: Wichita State's Ron Baker has agreed to a partially guaranteed 1-year deal with the New York Knicks. Baker was undrafted tonight.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 24, 2016
While many people were disappointed that the Knicks were unable to land a draft pick, the undrafted free agent pool proved to be useful to the Knicks. In Baker, the Knicks are potentially getting one of the best shooters in this year’s class, and someone with a ton of experience playing under immense pressure and bright lights.
“He’s got a chance,” one GM told Chad Ford after a Baker workout. “I’m not sure exactly where he gets drafted, but that doesn’t matter. What matters is whether you can stick in the league, and I think he has a skill set and work ethic to stick.”
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He ended up not getting drafted, but the Knicks are looking to take advantage of that. Baker has an excellent work ethic and motor to match. Ford would add that he was given the difficult task of containing Kris Dunn during pre-draft workouts, showing off the motor and great attitude coaches like to see.
Baker plays very hard on both ends of the court to make up for his lack of elite athleticism and size. While he stands 6-feet-4 inches and weighs 212 pounds, he could find it difficult playing shooting guard full time.
That is where his versatility comes into play, as Baker is as capable running the show as the point guard as he is playing off ball as the shooting guard. He possesses deep range on his three-point shot, and has a very high basketball IQ that coaches will love. That is exactly what the Knicks need, as they have seen a number of players fail to grasp the nuances of the triangle offense they are still trying to run.
Baker has a chance to stick in the NBA, and there aren’t many more places in the NBA that present an opportunity to do that than with the Knicks. The Knicks have no depth in their backcourt currently, so if Baker can show improvement during the summer, he has a chance to make the opening day roster.
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The partial guarantee works in his favor, as no team likes to just throw away money, but he has a skill set that can work with the new look Knicks if the reported deal comes to fruition. The Knicks need shooters and backcourt help, and Baker could fit the bill.