NY Knicks 2013 NBA Free Agency Primer: What You Need to Know

It’s no secret that the New York Knicks are making some moves this offseason. They’ve already snagged big man Andrea Bargnani from Toronto. And Adrian Wojnarowski reports they’ve bid farewell to Chris Copeland, who has agreed to a deal with the Indiana Pacers.

What’s more, with Jason Kidd now retired, the Knicks are looking for some help at the guard position. Let’s take a look at the players the Knicks are going after this offseason. 

They Will Keep J.R. Smith

First and foremost, the Knicks are going to keep J.R. Smith, according to Jeff Zillgitt of USA TODAY Sports.

Smith is a talented shooting guard. He won the Sixth Man of the Year award last season, averaging 18.1 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.3 steals per game. The 27-year-old guard has been a solid asset for New York, and they are fortunate they were able to retain him.

They Have Interest in Francisco Garcia

Ian Begley of ESPN New York has reported that the Knicks have showed interest in Francisco Garcia, the shooting guard who was previously with the Houston Rockets.

Last season, the 32-year-old guard averaged 5.5 points, 1.6 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 0.8 steals per 17.7 minutes of game play. Obviously, Garcia’s stats don’t quite measure up to those of J.R. Smith, but the Knicks could have room for two guards, given Kidd’s recent retirement.

They Also Have Interest in Monta Ellis

According to Ken Berger of CBS Sports, New York is also thinking about Bucks shooting guard Monta Ellis, who just turned down a deal with the Bucks that would have earned him an $11 million paycheck for the 2013-14 season.

Ellis is 27 years old and averaged 19.2 points, 3.9 rebounds, 6.0 assists and 2.1 steals in 37.5 minutes last season. Clearly, Ellis has talent; he would be a great grab for the Knicks, if they can afford him.

They're Thinking About Carlos Delfino

Another guard peaking the Knicks’ interest is Carlos Delfino, who was most recently with the Houston Rockets, Ian Begley of ESPN New York reports.

Last season, the 30-year-old shooting guard averaged 10.6 points, 3.3 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.0 steals in 25.2 minutes per game. He’s no Monta Ellis, but Delfino would still be a solid guard coming off the bench for New York.

They May Be Preparing an Offer to Elton Brand

Finally, ESPN New York’s Jared Zwerling has detailed that the Knicks are thinking about making an offer to power forward Elton Brand.

Brand finished his 2012-13 season with the Dallas Mavericks having averaged 7.2 points, 6.0 rebounds and 1.0 assists in 21.1 minutes each game. The 34-year-old big man has had solid experience; he’s played 13 years in the NBA.

Standing at 6’9" and weighing 254 lbs, Brand could certainly prove to be a force in the low post for the Knicks. The question is: Do they need him now that they have Bargnani from Toronto?