Knicks Get Value In Deal with Afflalo

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It took long enough, but the New York Knicks finally picked up their first free agent of the offseason Thursday morning.

The team came to terms with guard/small forward Arron Afflalo, agreeing to a two-year, $16 million deal that includes a player option on the second year. The news was first reported by ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne.

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Afflalo is coming off a year in which he split time between the Denver Nuggets and Portland Trailblazers. The 29-year-old started in 72 games (78 total) and averaged 32.1 minutes, 13.3 points, 3.2 rebounds and 1.5 turnovers while shooting 42.4 percent from the field and 35.4 percent from three.

An offensive-minded player, Afflalo is a career 45.3 percent shooter from the floor and comes to the ‘Bockers with a 38.5 percentage from deep. He can bring tough defense to the perimeter as well, but do not expect too many steals. To date, he has a career average of less than one per game.

One of Afflalo’s biggest issues has been efficiency. A veteran of eight year’s, his PER (player efficiency rating) has been above league average (15) just once. Last year he ended up with an 8.2 mark.

However, Afflalo’s deal looks like a bargain considering what some other free agents of his caliber have signed for. At $8 million a year, the Knicks are getting a second productive player on offense behind Carmelo Anthony, something they lacked last season. The contract also leaves New York with plenty of money to work with going forward in free agency and could set Afflalo up for a much more significant payday if he puts up big numbers and opts out.

The signing of Afflalo also provides Anthony with a sense of familiarity. The two were teammates in Denver between the 2007-08 and 2010-11 seasons. Afflalo also played two seasons for the Orland Magic in addition to his time with the Nuggets and Blazers.