Knicks guard Ron Baker has been diagnosed with a dislocated right shoulder and a torn labrum, the team announced today (via Twitter). Baker will be sidelined indefinitely.
The 2017/18 league year got off to a good start for Baker, who inked a two-year, $8.9MM deal with the Knicks in free agency. However, he has struggled mightily on the court, dealing with injuries throughout the season and failing to provide much value in the 29 games he has played. On the year, Baker is averaging 2.4 PPG and 1.6 APG in 13.3 minutes per contest, with a .339/.333/.769 shooting line.
Baker’s $4.54MM salary for 2018/19 isn’t yet guaranteed, but he has long been considered a lock to exercise his player option, and his latest injury should further cement that decision.
Most of Baker’s minutes this season have come at shooting guard, so it will be interesting to see how the Knicks address that spot if they decide to move starter Courtney Lee before next Thursday’s trade deadline. For now, Tim Hardaway and Damyean Dotson are candidates to play a few extra minutes at the two behind Lee, and New York may also use more lineups featuring multiple point guards.
Blessing in disguise. Why the hell would you give Baker $8.9 mill knowing you could sign any college rookie to the minimum to do the same thing?
I want to take some of the Knicks money so badly, I’m available for a tryout if yall see this!! I can most likely make at least 10 out of 30 3-pointers which is the exact percentage Baker was shooting
Baker’s contract was an albatross the second it was signed. However… (Steve Mills’) mentality was that, if Baker exercised his player option year 2 @ $4.5M, Knicks would have the right of first refusal, as Baker would be a Restricted FA, with 2019 QO, worth $5,680,500. (that almost surely won’t be issued now.. in all likelihood)
With that being said, Ron Baker is a minimum salary player,,, they were bidding against themselves. Steve Mills displayed incompetence, as President, signing Ron Baker to 2 years $8.9M., with a player option Year 2, you almost had to see this coming. (Baker opting in, because they grossly overpaid)
The worst part…? NYK only had $1.5M cap space left, after overpaying Baker… Pathetic, Mills.. You’re lucky Hardaway Jr.’s contract hasn’t been as big of a disaster, as expected.
They used the full mid-level exception to sign Baker….. That’s what hurt the most, Lol
#NYK Fan
Steve Mills is a marketing guy, not a personnel guy. He gave Baker this deal on the first day of FA. Needless overpay even if you want him back badly; who else would possibly be anywhere in that range? Then a player option for year 2. THJ’s contract is not much better. Ridiculous amount for a guy who is really a high end backup at best. While Mills is still in charge, thankfully it appears he’ll let Perry deal with personnel (Mills even paid a 2nd round pick to sign Perry).