Should The New York Knicks Consider Chandler Parsons?

Would Chandler Parsons be a good fit alongside Carmelo Anthony and Kristaps Porzingis in the frontcourt for the New York Knicks?

The New York Knicks, like most teams this offseason, are looking to add one more player to help their roster get over the hump and into the playoffs.

The trade to acquire Derrick Rose is expected to shore up the point guard position and form a fearsome trio alongside Carmelo Anthony and Kristaps Porzingis.

Only the Knicks aren’t planning to stop there. With an estimated $29 million in cap space this summer, the goal is to add one more big name player to ascend in the standings in the Eastern Conference.

The Knicks are going to target Kevin Durant. Anthony has already been in Durant’s ear during the Olympic practice period and he’s probably talking to him right now.

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Unless Durant really sees Anthony, Rose and Porzingis as a nice trio to attach himself to, Durant will most likely remain with the Oklahoma City Thunder or join the Golden State Warriors — both teams are better than the New York Knicks right now.

So if that’s the case, where do the Knicks go with their cap space? Langston Galloway and Lance Thomas are good restricted free agents to bring back as both fill holes on the bench.

The Knicks should be looking for someone who fits both Porzingis and Anthony’s timeline, someone like Allen Crabbe, who is garnering interest in a position of need. There have been Dwight Howard rumors, which would be very Knicks. 

However, I think one name to consider is former Dallas Mavericks forward Chandler Parsons.

After two seasons in Dallas, the fifth-year small forward opted out of his contract, throwing his hat into the free agency ring. Last season, Parsons averaged 13.7 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 2.8 assists on 49 percent last season in 61 games.

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At 27 years old at a position of need, Parsons is going to garner interest from several teams.

On the floor, Parsons is an interesting fit for the Knicks. It effectively shifts Anthony up to the power forward position and Porzingis up to center for most their minutes in the 2016-17 season.

It’s a bit more cost effective, as Thomas could play both forward positions, Kyle O’Quinn (and maybe Willy Hernangomez?) can absorb some center minutes and the Knicks could target their remaining money after signing Parsons elsewhere, like the shooting guard position.

The two positives for Parsons are his shooting and playmaking. Last season, Parsons finished with an effective field goal percentage of 60 percent on catch-and-shoot attempts, including 43 percent from three-point range.

Alongside ball-dominant players like Rose and Anthony, you’ll need to knock down threes. Parsons has shown the ability to do that, as well as attack a closeout.

Lacking a true playmaking point guard last season, Carmelo Anthony finished tied for the team lead in assists last season with 299. Rose fills in the point guard position but was never really a playmaking point guard.

Parsons’ playmaking dipped over his two seasons with Dallas, but Parsons has always been a fine playmaker, sporting a 16 percent assist rate last season. A good ball-handler and creator, Parsons provides another creative passer in their offense.

On the other side, Parsons has a few big weaknesses. Parsons has played just 127 games over the last two games due to various knee injuries. He missed the end of last season with a torn meniscus in his right knee, after coming off a minor hybrid microfracture surgery in the summer.

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Not to mention, Dallas is rumored to not be interested in paying Parsons the max, which says something.

Should the Knicks be the team to make that leap? The max is a tad strong at $22 million for Parsons, but considering the rising cap and the number of teams who could be waiting on day three without a player to pay, Parsons could land the max with relative ease.

The only question: How many years? A three-year contract with a player option on year three makes sense for both sides. 

The Knicks have a few positions they need to add to, like the shooting guard spot and center position. However, they also need one more good player who can take them up a level to contend for a playoff seed.

Parsons’ combination of shooting, ball-handling and fit alongside Anthony makes him a contender for one of those spots.

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However, it depends on what the Knicks want to do.