Knicks Rumors: Assessing New York's Options Going Forward

After an eventful start to the offseason, the New York Knicks might not be finished.

The team is going to look a lot different in 2016-17 after the Knicks added high-profile players such as Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah while filling out the roster with Brandon Jennings, Courtney Lee and more. 

While the Knicks went just 32-50 last season, they have a chance to get back into the postseason and compete with the best teams in the Eastern Conference. 

Team president Phil Jackson feels good about the moves he has made so far this summer, per Al Iannazzone of Newsday:

The problem is that roster space and cap space filled up quickly with all the additions, leaving little room for much else this summer.   

According to Marc Berman of the New York Post, the team "has interest in bringing back shooting guard Sasha Vujacic, according to an NBA source." While this wouldn't be a blockbuster deal, the 32-year-old veteran could add some outside shooting help for the suddenly contending squad.

Still, the biggest move for the organization might not come until next summer.

Although the team missed out on the Kevin Durant sweepstakes, his former teammate Russell Westbrook will be on the market next offseason and should become priority No. 1 for the Knicks. Even after all the moves this summer, Westbrook would be a game-changing addition for this franchise.

Obviously, bringing in a player of his caliber won't be easy. Pretty much every team with cap room will go after the five-time All-Star and potentially even before he is a free agent. As ESPN.com's Brian Windhorst reported, "multiple league executives told ESPN they believe the Thunder will consider fielding trade offers for Westbrook" if he doesn't extend his contract.

Noah Graham/Getty Images

Unfortunately, the Knicks don't have the room to bring Westbrook in this season. Additionally, they would likely have to part with their best asset, Kristaps Porzingis, in any potential deal.

As Frank Isola of the New York Daily News noted, this is not something New York should get into:

This type of deal could also take away one of the reasons Westbrook would be interested in joining the team in the first place. Ian Begley of ESPN.com explained that Porzingis could help lure the point guard to the team:

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Westbrook's free agency is 12 months away, so it's probably foolish to make any bold proclamations about his future right now. But here's one thing worth noting on the Knicks/Westbrook dynamic: Westbrook is a big fan of Kristaps Porzingis and has been impressed by his game, according to league sources.

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The Knicks just acquired a notable point guard in Rose, but the former Chicago Bulls star is also a free agent in 2017. The team could simply choose between one of the two players if Westbrook is indeed interested in coming to New York. Unless Rose somehow channels his 2010-11 form, we know which one would be the better option if it came down to making a choice.

As Berman also noted, the team could clear up extra cap room by getting rid of Jennings, who came over on just a one-year deal. The Knicks would essentially be trading their two new point guards for this season for one of the best in the NBA next season.

This is all obviously getting ahead of ourselves, as any potential move is a year away, but the Knicks should keep any pursuit of Westbrook in mind as they move forward. As good as the team could be next year, this blockbuster signing would help turn New York into a legitimate contender.

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