The Knicks extended a qualifying offer to forward Derrick Brown on Wednesday, making him a restricted free agent. The designation means that the Knicks will have the right to match any offer Brown receives, assuming the rules do not change substantially in the N.B.A.’s next labor deal.
Free agency normally begins July 1, but the N.B.A. is expected to impose a lockout that will place all player transactions on hold indefinitely. It is unclear what effect the owners’ push for a new salary-cap system might have on free-agency rules.
Brown played sparingly for the Knicks after being claimed off waivers on March 1, averaging 4.3 points and 1.9 rebounds in eight games. He was a second-round pick of the Charlotte Bobcats in 2009.
The Knicks had until the close of business Thursday to make the qualifying offer.
The team is also expected to re-sign three assistant coaches — Phil Weber, Dan D’Antoni and Kenny Atkinson — whose contracts all expire Thursday. Herb Williams’s contract expires later this summer, along with the contracts of several scouts and front-office personnel.
Let's go Knicks. That's amare