It's sad to admit the New York Knicks' season is essentially over in the middle of December, but it is. It's time for the Knicks to focus on what draft pick they'll potentially have, and target certain free agents during this coming off-season.
The Knicks will have more than enough cap space to make serious moves, and they'll have enough cash to potentially sign two max players. In addition, if Phil Jackson can use his zen mind tricks to entice J.R. Smith to test free agency, even with a player option, then the Knicks will have even more cap space to work with.
The average Knicks fan has some delusions of grandeur when it comes to the players the Knicks will sign this summer, with the most common names being Marc Gasol and LaMarcus Aldridge. I'm here to put the rumors and dreams to rest. The chances that the Knicks sign either of these premier big man is slim to none.
Marc Gasol has been the cornerstone of the Memphis Grizzlies for the last six years, and they've been regularly in the mix for the Western Conference title since he emerged as an elite center. Furthermore, Gasol grew up in Memphis, attending high school there while his older brother Pau Gasol was on the Grizzlies during Marc's teenage years. Good luck luring a franchise player out of his hometown and away from a team that looks like a legitimate contender. It'll never happen.
[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XZoaqK3W6tg[embed]
LaMarcus Aldridge is in a similar situation. The Trail Blazers have burst into the upper echelons of the Western Conference in the past two seasons, and LaMarcus Aldridge is one of the main reasons why. He's the go-to guy in Portland, and the offense runs through him during crunch time. Also, the Blazers' future looks extremely bright, as long as the core of Aldridge, Damian Lillard, Wesley Matthews, and Nicholas Batum stays intact.
With this group, the Trailblazers are going to contend in the Western Conference for years to come. Will Aldridge really want to cede his go-to guy role in Portland to play Robin to Carmelo Anthony's Batman? Doubtful.
[embed]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5vBM6-cZXxg[embed]
Despite the fact that signing a max player is unlikely, there's still hope for Knicks fans. The first thing that needs to be addressed is the defense. Once the defense is solidified, then they can focus on the triangle and the offensive end of the floor. In order to make these changes, the Knicks should go after the following free agent this coming off-season.
1. Pelicans C Omer Asik
In order for the Knicks to shore up the defensive end, they need to protect the rim and maintain some an interior presence. Omer Asik is an outstanding defender who can do just that. Also, his presence allows his teammates to play more aggressive defense, knowing that they'll have a powerful defensive presence backing them up in the paint. On offense, Asik will be successful in the triangle. He's a good passing big man, and is a good finisher at the rim on cuts to the basket. However, his post up game has always been a work in progress.
[embed]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HPYk9a4o0CU[embed]
2. Hawks PF Paul Millsap
Paul Millsap is one of the most underrated power forwards in the NBA, mostly because he's taken a backseat to Atlanta's Al Horford for the last couple of years. Millsap is a hard-working and relentless rebounder, which is a serious area of weakness for the Knicks. Also, his ability to post up and hit mid-range jump shots would benefit him greatly in the triangle offense because he'd be playing from either the high post or down on the block. Basically, Paul Millsap is Amar'e Stoudemire minus the athletic ability, but healthier, with better defensive effort and a higher basketball IQ. I'd say that's an upgrade.
[embed]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tOB-NQhQp2k[embed]
3. Trail Blazers SG Wesley Matthews
While Portland will do their best to keep their existing core intact, the Blazers have the luxury of being able to replace a player like Matthews. This may lead to an offer that Matthews doesn't believe mirrors his value, which would put him on the open market. I don't think Portland would do too much to prevent this because they have a young gunner on the bench in C.J. McCollum - essentially a more offensively-minded Wes Matthews.
Matthews would be a monumental improvement from the combination of J.R. Smith and Iman Shumpert at the shooting guard position. He's known league-wide as one of the best perimeter defenders in the NBA, and on offense, Matthews is the symbol of consistency. He has only shot lower than 43% once in his whole career, and is a career 40% three point shooter. His consistency on offense will help to create more space for the likes of Carmelo Anthony, and he'll also give the Knicks a reliable second perimeter option. By signing Matthews, the Knicks will be able improve exponentially on both ends of the floor.
[embed]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nQ9X09IU4kU[embed]
Everyone is critiquing the triangle offense and how inefficient the Knicks are this season. People think this is the reason they've been so horrendous thus far, but that's not the real problem - the defense is pathetic. They don't communicate on screens. They're lazy on box outs. They give up baseline drives, hoping for help that isn't there. The Knicks are completely undisciplined on the defensive end, and it's painful for fans to watch at this point. This is what they need to address this offseason, and even though it's a cliche', it's true in this case that the best offense is a good defense.
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