Where there is drama, expect the New York Knicks to be in the mix this offseason. After a franchise worst 17-65 record, Knicks fans were hopeful they would score a top-three draft pick in exchange for their misery, but instead what they received was a continuation of their nightmare.
The fourth pick in this year’s draft was described by some as the most difficult pick because there were three prospects on the board that would more than likely turn losses into wins almost immediately, and those three men were taken. For a moment, it looked like the Knicks would wind up with Duke center Jahlil Okafor after the Los Angeles Lakers shook things up and drafted Ohio State guard D’Angelo Russell. But, hope remains a Knicks fans worst nemesis as it betrays them time and time again. The fourth pick left the Knicks with a handful of choices, all of whom were a risk with no foreseeable timetable to when they could contribute effectively.
As the narrative goes, President Phil Jackson decided to draft the prospect with the most upside, 7’1" Latvian big man Kristaps Porzingis, who quickly climbed the ladder of best players in the draft. Despite the impressive stories of Porzingis, he was shamelessly booed by fans, who did not understand Jackson’s plan. However, a move that was looked upon highly was the exchange of Tim Hardaway Jr. for first-round pick Jerian Grant, the highly intelligent point guard from Notre Dame.
There has been drama spewing from every angle where this team is concerned, whether it’s rumors about Carmelo Anthony being furious with the draft decisions and firing back at commenters on Instagram or a huge question mark surrounding the future of the Knicks. Is Phil Jackson looking to win now as an aging Melo with a massive contract would dictate, or is he looking to tear this team down with an eye on the future as the Porzingis selection might tell us. Well, with free agency just a few hours away and a slew of meetings with potential franchise players like LaMarcus Aldridge and DeAndre Jordan scheduled, Knicks fans should have their answers soon enough.
It has been speculated for months now that the Pistons’ forward Greg Monroe wearing orange and blue was a sure thing. However, recent reports have said that Monroe wants to sign a short-term deal with a team who is ready to win. Though the Knicks may be a far ways off from doing so, if Jackson can convince Monroe that he is the missing ingredient to a playoff ready recipe, then the Knicks may very well have their desire of a big man satisfied. Question is, is he the missing piece of this jagged puzzle. He certainly does not embody the defensive ideologies of the triangle, nor does Porzingis for that matter, who was bullied on the boards in the Spanish league. However, Monroe would produce a double-double every night, averaging 15.9 points and 10.2 rebounds per game this past season. Where he’d certainly be productive offensively, the big man may need some work on the other end.
Still reports say that the Knicks are frontrunners to land Monroe, along with Arron Afflalo, the swingman of the Portland Trail Blazers, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports. Where the Knicks do need someone who can shoot and defend, some are concerned that Afflalo is not worth $12 million a year as he has been rumored to sign for. But, with the salary cap rising, it is not as detrimental as fans are making it out to be. Afflalo doesn’t seem to be on Knicks fans list of wants though. Rather, Spurs swingman Danny Green, who is younger, more efficient from beyond the arc and an above-average perimeter defender seems to be the favorite. Recent reports claim that the Knicks interest in Green is unknown, but they definitely want to be in the mix. Some months ago, Hawks’ swingman DeMarre Carroll was on the Knicks radar due to his versatility. The Hawks guard averaged 14.6 points on nearly 50 percent shooting, and is an essential part of the team’s defense. Though, reports of the Knicks getting Carroll have dwindled as of late.
The Knicks will meet with Portland Trail Blazer LaMarcus Aldridge this week, and although he would incredibly ideal for the Knicks, it seems more likely that the All-Star with either sign with the Lakers, who are rumored to be preparing a max deal offer for him or the San Antonio Spurs. That meeting will take place in Los Angeles, where the Knicks will also meet with Clippers big man DeAndre Jordan. Whereas remaining with the Clippers would mean automatically re-entering the playoffs, playing for the Knicks means becoming their second option, which is reportedly the pitch that will be offered to him. Where a defensive-minded player is concerned, DeAndre Jordan would be a fantastic pick up for the Knicks for obvious reasons. However, as the second option on offense, if Jordan is not catching lobs and stuffing dunks, where exactly is his offense going to come from? The Knicks certainly do not have an elite point guard like Chris Paul to set the pick and roll, so this may not be such an appealing plan.
Lastly, Pacers’ forward David West seemed like a sure thing just a week ago. The 11-year veteran would provide the Knicks with two identities the Knicks so desperately need. One being leadership and the other being toughness. During the Knicks' 54-win season, the team was stacked with veteran leadership with players like Marcus Camby, Rasheed Wallace, Kurt Thomas, and Jason Kidd on the roster, and there was obvious camaraderie on the floor. With Carmelo Anthony not exactly adept at the leadership role, and West considered the heart of the Pacers, he could be an excellent on and off the court role model for the new guys. Secondly, he provides not only a mental toughness but a defensive one as well. In the 2013 season, West had a defensive rating of 97.7 ranking him the sixth best in the league. And we all know the Knicks could use a whole lot of defense.
Some other names included in the mix are Wesley Matthews, Paul Millsap, Tobias Harris, and look out, Jeremy Lin. Don't worry too much about that Knicks fans. What you should prepare for is an entertaining frenzy of drama and anticipation, and it all begins tomorrow.