The New York Knicks released Marshall Plumlee last month to make some cap space for a free agency signing. Now, they’re interested in bringing the big man back, but they’re not the only team looking to sign him.
Plumlee, 25, is the youngest of the NBA’s 3 Plumlee brothers. Miles Plumlee is playing with the Atlanta Hawks, traded there five weeks ago. Mason Plumlee is currently without a team. Marshall, who played only 21 games with the Knicks last season, averaging 8.1 minutes per game along with 1.9 points and 2.4 rebounds, does have some fans within the organization.
One of them is Jeff Hornacek, who would like to sign the 7-footer to another go with the team. He and others in the coaching staff were impressed with his work ethic and development last season, although that can only take someone so far.
In a league moving further and further away from big man who have little skill when it comes to doing things outside the paint, it doesn’t seem like Marshall Plumlee has a lot going for him. However, teams still need big men to rebound and fill the paint for a few minutes each game – there’s a limit to how much small ball a team can play, or use small and power forwards as centers. Unlike his brothers, Marshall wasn’t a draft pick (his older brothers were first rounders), but if he manages to excel in a couple of things while adding another dimension to his game, he might be able to establish himself as more than a borderline roster spot this season.
Plumlee played four seasons under Mike Krzyzewski at Duke, including helping the team win the 2015 NCAA tournament. He became a starter only in his senior year, averaging 8.3 points and 8.6 rebounds in 30.5 minutes per game.