Free-agent big man Kevin Seraphin has agreed to a one-year, $2.8 million dollar deal with the New York Knicks, according to Michael Scotto of Sheridan Hoops. ESPN's Brian Windhorst confirmed the agreement, which is for the Knicks' room exception.
Kevin Seraphin agrees to 1-year, $2.8 million deal with Knicks, per reports
The Knicks now have a cheap backup for Robin Lopez by agreeing to a deal with the 25-year-old Seraphin.
Seraphin became a restricted free agent last year after the conclusion of his rookie contract, but he ended up taking the Wizards' qualifying offer for one year and $3.9 million. That allowed him to hit unrestricted free agency this summer, just five years into his career, but a track record of inconsistent play explains why Washington wasn't eager to sign him long term.
Hopes wavered for Seraphin throughout his five years in Washington as the big man flashed inconsistent skill and failed to step up during the team's rise in the Eastern Conference. Instead of becoming a core player along with John Wall and Bradley Beal, Seraphin saw his playing time shrink over the past two seasons as the team opted to lean more on veterans like Nene and Marcin Gortat.
Seraphin has long shown the ability to score around the basket, shooting 49 percent from the field during his career, but he's an erratic and unpolished defender who hasn't made the progress one would expect after five years of NBA experience. There's still hope that he'll develop into more than a depth big man given that he's just 25 years old, but for now he's not much more than that.
While Seraphin has been inconsistent throughout his career, this is still a bargain deal for a Knicks team in need of young talent. New York has a glut of big men on the roster, but the 6'10 Seraphin is an upgrade at the backup center position behind Robin Lopez. By adding Seraphin, Phil Jackson continues to do a solid job putting together a roster that'll be more competitive in the Eastern Conference after a rough 2014-15 season.
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