According to Wojnarowski's agent, the New York Knicks signed a $30 million three-year contract with Alec Burks to resign as guard. They also agreed to a $32 million three-year deal to bring back center Nerlens Norel.Burks, 30 years old, shot 41.5% from 3-point line and averaged 12.7 point per game in 49 games last season with the Knicks. This helped New York make it back into the playoffs after seven years. Burks, a skilled, athletic scorer, found a home in New York after playing between five teams over the past two years -- the Utah Jazz (Cleveland Cavaliers), Sacramento Kings (Sacrament Kings), Golden State Warriors (Golden State Warriors) and the Philadelphia 76ers (76ers).Burks signed a one-year contract with New York in the offseason. This provided Tom Thibodeau with a steady scoring presence alongside R.J. Barrett, and later Derrick Rose at the perimeter. The surprising Knicks were a success during the regular season, before succumbing in the five-game series defeat to the Atlanta Hawks.Noel, 27, appeared to be able to fit in under Thibodeau during his seventh NBA season. Noel was a part of 64 games in 2020-21. He started in 41 of those and had a career-high average of 2.2 blocks. Noel also averaged 5.1 points and 6.4 rebounds per game.Mitchell Robinson, a fellow young center, formed a strong partnership with Noel. Robinson was injured and Noel was able to fill in as the primary option.Noel spent three seasons previously with the Philadelphia 76ers. He was drafted sixth overall by the Dallas Mavericks in 2013. Noel then signed with the Knicks in the last offseason.Now that Noel and Burks are back, the focus shifts to how the Knicks will improve their roster following the first round playoff exit. In last month's NBA draft the Knicks selected Quentin Grimes (guard) and Miles McBride (guard). They could still sign Rose and add other free agents to their remaining cap space.
