NBA Free Agency Rumors: PG Upgrade More Important for Knicks Than Marcus Camby

The New York Knicks can't let Marcus Camby's interest in them eat away their mid-level exception. They need that for a point guard. 

According to ESPN's Jared Zwerling, a "source close to [unrestricted free agent] Camby" has indicated that the veteran "would be interested in returning to the Knicks." 

That's certainly good for the Knicks to know. They need some frontcourt depth and could definitely use someone that doesn't mind playing some defense. 

However, there is certainly a caveat here. Zwerling sheds some light on that. 

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If the Knicks sign a top free-agent point guard to the midlevel amount, the source would be "shocked" if Camby accepts the veteran's minimum of $1.4 million. 

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If Camby isn't going to play for the veteran's minimum then the Knicks don't need him. They have too many holes to fill to allow an aging power forward to eat up their cap room. 

Even at 38, Camby is still a solid defender. He can block shots and get steals in the post. He has value. A team that is already a championship contender would be wise to consider adding Camby with its mid-level exception, but that is not the Knicks. 

New York has some moves to make before it can call itself a championship contender, and at the forefront of those moves is the addition of a point guard. 

To handle the point guard duties, the Knicks currently have Jeremy Lin and...Jeremy Lin. Even when Linsanity had completely taken over our brains, I don't think anyone was running around thinking that Lin would not need a backup.

New York must find someone who can play solid minutes at the point guard position and not be a disaster. The Knicks don't need to bargain shop for that with the veteran's minimum, they need to go the next level up and add someone with their mid-level exception.