LaMarcus Aldridge or Marc Gasol would upgrade the Knicks immediately and would bring a smile to Carmelo Anthony’s face, but the odds of Phil Jackson landing one of those prized free agents are remote. A second-tier free agent like Greg Monroe is more likely.
Aldridge, who is not expected to re-sign with Portland, probably will resurface with the Lakers, Spurs or Mavericks. The Lakers’ decision to draft D’Angelo Russell over Jahlil Okafor suggests that they are confident they will sign a big man in free agency, which begins July 1. Aldridge, who keeps a home in Newport Beach, makes a lot of sense.