I still don't have an exact figure on this deal but I've waited long enough. Over the weekend the New York Knicks signed Raymond Felton (number 15 on the Big Board) to a 2 year deal worth approximately $15 million. Felton has been with Charlotte for his entire 5 year career, averaging 13 points and 6 assists over that time. Felton is a solid contributor across the board. He scores a little bit, puts up good assist numbers, and even rebounds and defends well enough. He is not a very good shooter but those percentages saw a steady increase this season. Felton doesn't have a lot of potential in terms of what he could develop into but what he is now is what he will probably be for the next 8 years. In the right system, with the right players around him, he could average 15 points, 8 assists, and 4 rebounds and put up a couple of triple doubles. Does he fit Mike D'antoni's fast-paced system, though? Honestly, I'm not sure. Felton is closer to a combo guard than he is a true point guard and that makes this move a bit riskier than it looks on paper. He is much more talented than Chris Duhon, the last point guard to make an attempt at D'antoni's system, so he will have more success than Duhon. But I'm not sure it necessarily translates to many more wins. This style of play calls for a point guard with great court vision and awareness and I wouldn't say those are Felton's skills. So while the Knicks will undoubtedly surround him with streak shooters and run pick-and-roll between he and Amare Stoudemire, his ability to find the open man will be the question. Still, $7 million a year is a bargain for a player of this talent for this team and to get it done without a long term commitment is a nice bonus. I think the Knicks are still going to be a mediocre team but at least with Stoudemire and Felton, they've got a chance.
Grade: B
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