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Kyle O’Quinn is no longer a Knick...for the moment, at least.
The big man from Queens has exercised the opt-out clause in his contract, per ESPN.
New York Knicks center Kyle O’Quinn has declined his $4.2M option for the 2018-19 season to become an unrestricted free agent this summer, league sources told ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 21, 2018
I have many thoughts on this. First...what inconvenient timing! Tomorrow is Draft Day, my guy! As a big-time basketball publisher, I have more content than I know what to do with! I’m up to my ears in ‘tent!
Second, O’Quinn’s opt-out was pretty much a given. He definitely out-performed that $4.2 million for 2018-19. Even with what looks to be a slow market for free agents, he should be able to beat that this summer.
Now we must wait for Enes Kanter to make a decision on his preposterous $18.6 million 2018-19 deal. Clearly he’s not opting out of that kind of money. Once he’s officially on the 2018-19 cap, the Knicks will have to dip into their midlevel exception.
Kyle O'Quinn declining his $4.25M contract will only impact the Knicks cap space this offseason if Enes Kanter decides to decline his $18.6M option. If Kanter returns, New York will be right at the cap. New York will have the $8.6M non tax midlevel and $3.4M biannual exception.
— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) June 21, 2018
The Knicks will have the money to raise O’Quinn’s 2018-19 salary, but not do much else. Also, they don’t seem inclined to sign free agents long-term, per Ian Begley.
Several agents are under the impression that NYK is strongly opposed to signing free agents to long-term contracts this summer. The goal appears to be to preserve cap space for 2019. So if NYK wants to re-sign Kyle O’Quinn, maybe the club offers him a raise on a 1-year deal? https://t.co/2G6oth1oEj
— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) June 21, 2018
What do you think, Knicks fans? Should they try to bring back O’Quinn? Will you miss the big, bearded galoot?