Argentinian point guard Luca Vildoza will be the latest standout player to reach the NBA ranks after starting his career abroad, as ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reports that the New York Knicks have agreed to sign the 25-year-old to a four-year contract valued at $13.6 million.
While three of the seasons of Vildoza’s contract are non-guaranteed, the MVP of the 2020 Spanish ACB Finals has legitimate chance to stick with the Knicks. Guards Elfrid Payton, Alec Burks, Frank Ntilikina and Derrick Rose on the final seasons of their contracts with New York and the savvy playmaker may be able to replace one of them in the rotation moving forward.
Particularly when, despite being in a league where the majority of guards are threats to score, the Knicks rely heavily on a guard with a more defensive-lean in Payton.
Payton, who has started all 57 games he’s played for New York this season, has averaged 11.0 points and 3.4 assists per game while shooting .295 percent from 3-point range, .333 percent from the midrange and .364 percent on jump shots, in general (per NBA Advanced Stats).
Vildoza, may be able replace either Rose —who continues to defy Father Time— or Burks as a second unit scorer in future seasons. The 25-year-old averaged 10.5 points and 3.5 assists in 24.5 minutes per game for Baskonia this season, shooting .376 percent from 3-point range.
