The New York Knicks posted the worst season in franchise history in 2015, but they have an opportunity to put the negativity of this year behind them come free agency this July if they can woo an impact player or two to the Big Apple. Here are five star players they plan on making hard pitches to in free agency:
DeAndre Jordan, C, Los Angeles Clippers
New York has the cap space to give him close to max deal if they so choose, and while that may seem like an overpay, Jordan’s elite rebounding and shot-blocking abilities would greatly improve a Knicks team that really struggled on the defensive end of the court. He has said he “loves New York City” and wants to play in New York - and he may have the desire to leave Los Angeles after a reported rift with Chris Paul. Still, the Knicks will likely have to outbid the Clippers if they want him.
Marc Gasol, C, Memphis Grizzlies
Gasol is target No. 1 for Phil Jackson, and he should be. He’s the perfect big man for the Triangle system due to his deft passing touch, and he’ll give the Knicks the defensive presence they thought they were getting from Tyson Chandler. Gasol is also a threat offensively even though he doesn’t need any plays to be called for him, and that will allow Carmelo Anthony to continue to be the focal point of the offense.
Gasol hasn’t said much about his impending free agency this season, but there were rumors before the season that the Knicks were his top choice.
Greg Monroe, PF/C, Detroit Pistons
Monroe hasn’t wanted to commit to Detroit long-term, and he’ll be looking elsewhere in free agency. The Knicks were connected to the Pistons center in sign-and-trade talks last year and trade rumors once again this year, and his evolving offensive arsenal and bruising work in the low post would be a perfect building block for the Knicks to work with going forward. Monroe isn’t a max player and would save New York some money while still getting a really productive big man.
Tobias Harris, SF, Orlando Magic
Harris, who’s just 22 years old, is one of the best young players in the league and a Long Island native that wants to return home, and Marc Berman of the New York Post reported that he has “wants to win a championship with the Knicks”:
Harris has a big summer ahead, electing to become a restricted free agent rather than signing Orlando’s 4-year, $36 million extension offer. A source told The Post in November the Knicks are tops on his list.
Thursday night, a close friend of Harris’ told The Post, “He wants to win a championship with the Knicks.”
However, Harris is extremely careful when speaking about free agency.
“I don’t think about it too much,” Harris said. “I’m trying to play basketball, worry about the present with Orlando. That’s my mind-set. After the season, when that time comes, we’ll be able to discuss that and go from there.”
He’s a restricted free agent, meaning Orlando can match any offer he receives, so New York will likely have to overpay to bring him into the fold. Harris won’t be one of the sexier names on the free agent market, but he’s a very productive player (17.1 ppg, 6.9 rpg) the Knicks could bring in for less than a max contract and could develop into something special.
Goran Dragic, PG, Miami Heat
The Knicks tried to land Dragic at the trade deadline, but they just didn’t have assets and the Phoenix Suns traded Dragic and his brother, Zoran, to the Miami Heat. However, Dragic has said that the Knicks are one of the few teams he’s very interested in and loves the thought of joining them in free agency. He’s not the kind of player that will turn the franchise around, but was named to the All-NBA third team last year and would give the Knicks a true backcourt threat.
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