New York Knicks: Free Agency Game Plan

Now that the New York Knicks have managed to make it through the 2015 NBA Draft without any major catastrophe, its time to key in on July 1, the date the free-agent frenzy is expected to begin. With the exception of point guard and small forward, the Knicks are dealing with a roster with no shortage of holes and no quick fixes.

New York is expected to be a major free agent player, waving a projected cap space in upwards of $28 million. They will also bank on the allure of playing under the bright lights of Madison Square Garden, the perks of metropolitan New York life, and immediate feature roles—hoping it will be enough for free agents to overlook the deplorable recent seasons of irrelevance.

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As of the time of this post, the following is a realistic list of the major free agents the Knicks could be targeting. Once Wednesday arrives the team will have a game plan that will likely include desired free agents, prioritized per the team needs (think big).

1. Greg Monroe

There have been whispers of Monroe to New York for so long now that it almost feels like he’s already a Knick. In fact, Monroe was reportedly on the trading block last December, but the lack of any real tradable assets made a mid-season trade to New York implausible.

The Knicks were smart to not force a trade considering smoke signals out of Monroe’s camp was that he would likely leave the Detroit Pistons in the offseason. A thin-on-talent New York team would be better served signing the 6’11’’ power forward outright during free agency.

The Monroe-to-New York saga is picking up more steam as July 1 approaches. Yahoo Sports reports that New York has definitely emerged as the likely destination for Monroe, along with free-agent guard Arron Afflalo.

Knicks are frontrunners for two free agents -- Greg Monroe and Arron Afflalo, league sources told Yahoo Sports. Those are realistic targets.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 29, 2015

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The Knicks would certainly reciprocate the interest. They have no center, or any big for that matter, to maneuver and anchor the paint. Monroe’s averages of 15.9 points and 10.3 rebounds in Detroit last season suggest he’s not the home run addition that will alter the franchise.

However, bringing Monroe into the fold is crucial to Carmelo Anthony, whose iso-heavy game should thrive from the spacing and attention Monroe will generate.

2. DeAndre Jordan

When the Knicks traded Tyson Chandler, the one guy that brought toughness, hustle, and some semblance of defense to the Garden, questions arose regarding the team’s direction. For those who noticed an improved New York squad with Chandler flying around the paint causing disruptions, the addition of Jordan is an absolute no-brainer.

Jordan does have some major deficiencies. He does not create his own offense and is not a threat in the post. He thrived in the Clippers offense thanks largely to a point guard in Chris Paul that was deadly in pick-and-rolls and lobbing the ball exactly where Jordan could cause damage.

But he is arguably one of the top two or three defenders in the league, enough for most teams to overlook his shortcomings. But enough to warrant max money from the Knicks? A new ESPN report states that although the Knicks are not even likely to land Jordan, they are planning to meet with him.

3. Robin Lopez

Playing in the shadow of his brother Brook Lopez, Robin was not highly regarded coming into the league. However, he played his way into an important piece of the Portland Trail Blazers the past two seasons. Although Lopez alone is barely a Band-Aid, he could be the first of several important free agent additions moving forward.

Every contender needs a player that does what Lopez accomplishes in limited minutes. He averaged 11.1 points, 8.5 rebounds and 1.7 blocks in 32 minutes upon arriving in Portland in 2013-14. The Knicks are in no position to complain about that sort of production from a member of their frontcourt.

4. David West

West recently opted out of his final year with the Indiana Pacers. Given mileage and age, he is not a long-term solution, and if the Knicks strike out with the bigger name free agents, West can fill many Knick needs in the interim.

He provides incredible value for the buck and at 35, West’s elbow jumper isn’t going anywhere. Add his reliable post game, and at about $9 million per year the Knicks have plenty flexibility. More importantly, the team could still couple West with another big, such as Lopez, to form the structure of a respectable frontcourt.

League source: David West is "very likely" to sign with the Knicks come FA. "He knew that before he chose not to opt in" with the Pacers.
— Jared Zwerling (@JaredZwerling) June 25, 2015

5. Danny Green

As a rugged wing defender, deadeye shooter and championship pedigree, Green is a foolproof fit in New York. The Knicks second biggest need, after frontcourt size, is arguably outside shooting. Green is another value free agent considering the areas in which he excels are exactly where the Knicks are deficient.

An addition of Green won’t be a splashy free agent acquisition, but at a reasonable $8 million per year, he will inspire the lackluster Knicks on both ends of the court. In an increasingly guard-driven league, Green can equalize the quicker, more athletic perimeter players, freeing Anthony of being continuously worn down.

A shooter of his ability will be especially important with the acquisition of playmaking point guard Jerian Grant, the 19th pick in this year’s draft. Grant thrived in a high-powered Notre Dame offense that surrounded him with a plethora of three-point options.

The Others

This is by no means an exhaustive list, as the Knicks will have opportunities to reach out to many others. The team is expected to monitor the LaMarcus Aldridge sweepstakes very closely and are said to be meeting with him this week. New York does not figure to be high on his list and his max salary will leave little for the organization to build around.

Wesley Matthews is another Trail Blazer free agent the Knicks are expected to consider. There will understandably be concerns stemming from the ruptured Achilles tendon that cut his season short. Green could be a better fit given his defensive prowess, but Matthews, who was hitting nearly three threes a game at a 39 percent clip before the injury, should be on the radar as well.

The Knicks have several options to work with but their initial game plan is somewhat dependent on how quickly the bigger dominoes fall. The good news is that Anthony is said to have already reached out to several free agents himself. His involvement is an encouraging sign if the team is to make any serious run at the top tier free agents.

But even if New York finds itself on the outside of that group, they can mix and match multiple cheaper free agents, an option that could create better depth.

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