July 9, 2010 – Dr. Dime

The New York Knicks and all of their many fans in the Big Apple were holding their breath last night hoping Lebron would utter the words “I’m going to NY”. Instead, after all the moves to clear cap space to make room for ‘The King’, Lebron is headed to South Beach.

But the world will continue to turn, and the Knicks are now in a very enviable position financially to sign some high quality remaining free agents in one of the deepest free agent pools we have seen in quite some time. But if there is one position that the talent is limited, it is at the point guard spot. After Steve Blake agreed to terms with the Lakers this week, the only point guard who is a difference maker left for the Knicks to target is Raymond Felton of the Charlotte Bobcats.

Well ESPN sources tonight are saying that the Knicks are going to get their man this time:

Two league sources told ESPN.com that the Charlotte Bobcats’ unrestricted free agent reached an agreement in principle Friday on the broad parameters of a contract. The length of the deal has not yet been agreed upon, but Felton will earn a starting salary in the $7 million range. Felton was widely considered the top free-agent point guard available in this summer’s superstar-laden market. One of the other top free-agent playmakers, Steve Blake, came off the market earlier this week when he agreed to a four-year, $16 million deal with the Los Angeles Lakers.

Felton has respectable career averages of 13.3 points, 6.4 assists and 1.4 steals per game. But the numbers can be deceiving as Felton is certainly worth a lot more than your average 13 and 6 floor general. He is quick off the bounce, has great court vision, and isn’t afraid of the big shot. He’s no 2-time MVP Steve Nash, but he will still be a great complement to Amare Stoudemire and the Knicks.