Kyle O'Quinn to join Knicks in trade, sign 4-year deal, sources say

ByIan Begley ESPN logo
Sunday, July 5, 2015

The New York Knicks have agreed to acquire restricted free agent Kyle O'Quinn in a sign-and-trade with the Orlando Magic, league sources told ESPN.com.



The Magic will gain the right to swap a future second-round pick with the Knicks in exchange for O'Quinn, sources say. Orlando also will obtain cash from New York.



O'Quinn has agreed on a four-year, $16 million deal with a player option for the fourth year, per sources.



Thursday is the first day deals can be officially consummated, after a leaguewide moratorium on roster business is lifted.



O'Quinn, a 6-foot-10 power forward/center, has established himself as a strong rebounder and a physical paint presence. Last season, he averaged 5.8 rebounds and 3.9 rebounds in 16.2 minutes per game.



The 25-year-old has grabbed 10.5 rebounds per 36 minutes over his three-year career. The Queens native projects as a backup power forward/center for New York.



The Knicks will likely have to use their remaining cap space to sign O'Quinn.



If so, the club will have the $2.8 million room exception and veterans minimum contracts to offer remaining free agents.



O'Quinn is the fourth free agent to agree to terms with New York.



Guard Arron Afflalo (two years, $16 million), center Robin Lopez (four years, $54 million) and power forward Derrick Williams (two years, $10 million) have also agreed to deals with New York.



The Knicks won a franchise-worst 17 games last season, and team president Phil Jackson said he'd use free agency to rebuild the team.



The club was unable to convince any of the top-tier free agents to come to New York. Free-agent big man LaMarcus Aldridge actually canceled a meeting with Jackson and the Knicks.



The hope for the Knicks is that the players they've obtained -- along with No. 4 overall draft pick Kristaps Porzingis -- can help them take a step forward from the disastrous 2014-15 campaign.



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