How Gordon Hayward will help decide the New York Knicks’ future
By Eric Snyder
The New York Knicks have nothing to do with the future of Gordon Hayward. Yet, Gordon Hayward has everything to do with the future of the Knicks.
With the 2017 NBA Draft and free agency fast approaching, every team has important decisions in front of them. Similarly, players entering into free agency must choose between team loyalty, future goals and financial stability.
The New York Knicks have massive decisions to make even before choosing free agents.
Of all the free agents, Gordon Hayward is one of the most talented available. Due to his asking price and the Knicks lack of cap room, Hayward won’t end up in New York.
However, the decisions ahead for Hayward will dictate what the Knicks will and will not do this offseason.
What if Hayward stays in Utah?
The Utah Jazz had a good thing going this past season. Sporting one of the best defenses in the league and the offense of Hayward, the Jazz are going in the right direction. If Hayward decides to stay with the Jazz, they may be the second-best team in the Western Conference next season. His staying in Utah would also be the best-case scenario for the New York Knicks.
With Hayward in Utah, the Boston Celtics would still need someone like Carmelo Anthony. Phil Jackson doesn’t deserve such good luck, but it may very well happen. This postseason has proven to the Celtics that they need an offensive option taller than 5’2″.
Furthermore, the Knicks reportedly love Jae Crowder and desperately need an upgrade on defense. In the end, Phil Jackson would have his chance to move Carmelo and complete the roster triangular transformation. Marc Berman of the NY Post wrote the following a few days ago:
"“The Post has reported the Knicks are interested in Boston’s defensive small forward Jae Crowder as a centerpiece in an Anthony deal. Crowder has been overwhelmed by LeBron James, so Ainge could be more apt to deal him. A 2018 first-round pick (the Celtics have two of them) would be icing.”"
The only way a Knicks trade with the Celtics can happen is if Danny Ainge fails to sign Gordon Hayward. In this hypothetical, Carmelo’s time in New York could be over as soon as Hayward signs with Utah.
What if Gordon Hayward goes to Boston?
Most basketball fans remember how magical the pairing of Brad Stevens and Gordon Hayward was at Butler. No doubt, the two men remember the same magic. If the Celtics can broker a Stevens and Hayward reunion, the Knicks and the entire Eastern Conference could be in trouble.
For the Knicks, Hayward signing with Boston is the worst-case scenario. Not only would their New England neighbors vastly improve, but the Knicks would most likely be stuck with Carmelo Anthony.
Outside of the Celtics, there won’t be a thriving market for a Carmelo Anthony trade. Whoever the New York Knicks draft will get plenty of minutes next season. Adding youth and athleticism to the offense of Carmelo and Porzingis could sneak the Knicks into the playoffs next year.
Then again, the ritualistic dysfunction of James Dolan and Phil Jackson may make that impossible. Keeping Carmelo may be their only option if they can’t find a playoff team like the Celtics that needs a scorer.
Strictly looking at talent, Carmelo Anthony is a better player than Jae Crowder. However, Crowder plays team basketball while Carmelo plays an individual-centric style that has accomplished little for the New York Knicks.
The Celtics may not need Carmelo Anthony in order to get to the NBA Finals. They could potentially trade for someone like Jimmy Butler or Paul George, or they could even find a way to chase Blake Griffin in free agency.
Yet, the Knicks need Carmelo off their team in order to play winning basketball on both ends of the court.
Next: 5 potential landing spots for Gordon Hayward in free agency
As for Gordon Hayward, his best career move would be to join the Celtics. New York Knicks fans should hope and pray that this happens. New York obviously has no bearing on what happens or where he ends up. At the same time, Gordon Hayward has everything to do with the future of the New York Knicks.