Creating the Perfect 2-Year Plan for the NY Knicks
The New York Knicks were a complete disappointment this season. But as of now, that’s in the past. And it’s time to look toward the future.
Phil Jackson and the rest of New York’s front office will have some big-time decisions to make in the next two offseasons, particularly in regard to the impending free agency of Carmelo Anthony.
The Knicks are currently void of any draft stock—save for a 2015 first-round selection—until 2017, which limits what Jackson can do, although trading for picks is a viable option.
New York will also have microscopic financial wiggle room until next summer, when the team is freed from the ridiculously overpriced deals of Tyson Chandler, Amar’e Stoudemire and Andrea Bargnani.
Prospects are dim for the Knicks at the moment, but with swift action and shrewd decisions, New York could return to the top of the Eastern conference in just two short years.
Hire Mark Jackson
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With Steve Kerr now out of the picture, Mark Jackson, who was recently fired by the Golden State Warriors, needs to be considered for the Knicks' head coaching vacancy.
Despite Jackson leading the Warriors to two consecutive playoff appearances—the team’s only postseason berths since 1991—and improvements in each of his three seasons, Golden State decided to go in another direction.
As poor as that decision was, the Knicks should be jumping for joy.
"There's not a question anymore, can I coach," Jackson said, per Ian Begley of ESPN New York. "That's been proven. I'm grateful for the opportunity [with the Warriors] and we'll see what lies ahead."
Begley also reported that Melo, who will opt out of his deal and become a free agent this summer, "would embrace the opportunity to play" for Jackson. And that's a big deal.
Jackson played in New York for seven seasons and would be the perfect guy to handle the intense media attention that comes with life in the Big Apple.
As an elite motivator and proven developer of young talent—look at Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green and Harrison Barnes—Jackson would be a great fit with the Knicks.
Lock Up Melo with Long-Term Deal...
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Back in March, I wrote that the Knicks would be better off letting Anthony walk away than overpaying him.
But then, Phil Jackson made a bold decision on April 23. He told the media that he hopes Melo stays “true to his word” this summer and remains willing to take less money if it benefits the Knicks.
Frank Isola of the New York Daily News wrote:
"The Knicks’ biggest perceived advantage in retaining Carmelo Anthony this summer is supposed to be the fact that they can offer him $33 million more than other teams in free agency.
But new team president Phil Jackson drew his first lines in the sand with Anthony on Wednesday, saying that he hopes the perennial All-Star will be “true to his word” about being willing to accept less money to remain in New York to help build a championship contender.
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If Anthony does stick to what he said back at the All-Star break, the Knicks would be crazy not to lock him up long term.
He is an elite individual scorer, probably second only to Kevin Durant as the league’s best. Winning is nearly impossible in the NBA without stars, and Anthony is a superstar of the highest order.
Plus, his presence alone will attract other marquee players to New York through free agency.
Re-signing Anthony for less than the max deal is the No. 1 priority for the Knicks.
...or Let Him Go in a Sign-and-Trade
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Now, let’s say that Melo does decide to bolt. Could you really blame him after this season?
That’s something that the Knicks must be prepared for. The Chicago Bulls, Houston Rockets and Los Angeles Lakers would all be in the conversation as potential suitors to lure Melo away from New York.
If that were to happen, the Knicks must figure out some sort of sign-and-trade scenario and get something back in return.
Whether it’s a few much-needed draft picks or a package that includes players like Chandler Parsons, Jeremy Lin and Omer Asik (to use Houston as an example), New York must finagle a form of compensation for Anthony.
Letting one of the NBA’s top players go for nothing would be devastating for a franchise that's trying to rebuild.
Sign a Cheap Big Man This Summer
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A rejuvenated Stoudemire is a nice idea—until he gets injured for the one millionth time. The Knicks are shallow as far as frontcourt depth goes, and Chandler and STAT aren’t getting any younger.
DeJuan Blair and Ed Davis are two potential free agents that the Knicks should take a look at this offseason.
Blair, a hard-nosed, undersized forward/center from the Dallas Mavericks, would give New York some juice off the bench. He can play either the 4 or the 5 spot, which would allow the Knicks to get creative with their lineups.
Davis hasn’t been too impressive in his four years as a pro, but there’s a possibility that the Knicks could get a steal in the former UNC Tar Heel. At 6’10” with a 7’0” wingspan, he has the potential to become a legitimate shot-blocker and could give New York some athleticism off the bench.
Stoudemire and Chandler will be the Knicks’ primary bigs next year, but as we’ve seen before, depth is important.
Signing either Blair or Davis would bolster a thin front line in New York.
Nab Aaron Craft After the 2014 Draft
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On May 6, Bleacher Report’s Paul Knepper broke down how the Knicks should fix their point guard problems this offseason: "There is not an ideal option available for the Knicks at point guard this summer. The goal for [Phil] Jackson and his staff should be to acquire a moderate upgrade while keeping their eyes on the team's long-term plan."
Knepper pointed to guys like Ramon Sessions, Shaun Livingston and Darren Collison as potential upgrades for Raymond Felton and Pablo Prigioni, but NYK would likely have to shell out more money than warranted to get them.
Poor defensive backcourt, lack of viable free agents—what's the solution? Ohio State’s Aaron Craft.
According to Rotowire, opposing point guards averaged nearly 22 points, seven assists and six rebounds against the Knicks this season. And that’s unacceptable.
While Craft isn’t much of a weapon offensively, he’s an elite defender and an intelligent guard who would fit into what the Knicks are trying to do—build around Anthony.
Last summer at a Nike-sponsored skills camp, Craft made a fan out of one of the NBA’s top point guards, Kyrie Irving. Per Scout.com’s Ohio State site:
"“Oh yeah. I believe so,” Irving said when asked if Craft could cut it in the NBA. “He’s a leader, he’s a tough defender, he’s been working on his offensive game. I’m interested to see the things that he’s learned from the camp and the things that he’s accomplished this summer in terms of his game and see the difference between his junior and senior year.
“He did well against the other campers. He played me tough and I know he learned a lot at the camp.”
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Draft Express’ Twitter account also posted the following during the event:
Apparently Aaron Craft has been really holding his own defending Kyrie Irving here. Picking him up full-court and making him work.
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) June 26, 2013
The problem is that New York doesn’t have a 2014 draft pick. Not yet, at least.
CBS Sports ranks Craft as the 69th overall prospect, which means that the Knicks would likely be able to sign him after the draft and put him on their summer league team, similar to what they did with Toure' Murry.
Make the Playoffs in 2014-15
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Assuming Anthony comes back, the Knicks must make the playoffs next year.
But even if he doesn’t, while New York might not be able to make a legitimate run, the team should still at least get in.
The 2013-14 campaign was a disaster, and failing to earn a postseason berth for the second straight year would ruin what the Knicks are aiming to do—improve.
Re-signing Melo is key, and adding depth at point guard and strengthening the front line should diminish the impact of inevitable injuries.
Having a fully healthy squad all season long would be a blessing for the Knicks, though. But again, next year isn’t about winning a championship, the Atlantic division or anything else.
New York just needs to get into the playoffs. It really shouldn’t be that hard.
Hold onto Tim Hardaway Jr. for Dear Life
7 of 10It goes against everything that the Knicks are about, but the team cannot trade Tim Hardaway Jr.
New York has had a penchant for trading young talent and draft picks over the years. The stud rookie shooting guard was even discussed in a package with Iman Shumpert as part of a deal with the Toronto Raptors for Kyle Lowry earlier this year, per ESPN New York’s Ian Begley.
But according to Fred Kerber of the New York Post, Hardaway Jr. should be untouchable: “He’s a keeper,” said one scout before predicting, “other teams may try to get him...He’ll be a good fit in the triangle. Coming off the pinch post would be good for him. He’d get shots, they’d send him to the corner. Definitely a keeper.”
The former Michigan standout averaged more than 10 points per game while shooting nearly 43 percent from the field and 36 percent from three-point land in his rookie season in New York.
Offers for his services are going to come, probably in bunches. But despite their trigger-happy nature, the Knicks must resist.
Go All-out in Signing Rajon Rondo Next Summer
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The Knicks love Rajon Rondo, almost to the point of obsession.
Dan Favale documented their pursuit of him:
"The Knicks have been lusting after Rondo since July, when the New York Post's Marc Berman intimated Carmelo Anthony wanted them to engage Boston in trade talks. Since then, the disappointing Knicks have been consistently linked to Rondo-based trade proposals that make little sense for the Celtics.
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Kevin Love will also be a free agent in 2015, but we’ve already seen the discord between Anthony and ball-demanding power forwards. Though he’s worlds better than Stoudemire, Love doesn’t exactly jell with Melo’s style.
Rondo, on the other hand, would be the perfect co-star in New York. A pass-first point guard and one of the league’s best at defending his position, he is a triple-double machine with an insatiable desire to win.
And if he made the aged Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett look like stars even in their later years with the Boston Celtics, imagine what he could do for Anthony.
The seven-year veteran will still be under 30 by the time the Knicks have a shot at signing him as a free agent, and it’s imperative that New York leaves no stone unturned in trying to lure Rondo to suit up alongside Melo.
Draft a Post Player with 2015-16 1st Round Pick
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Chandler is not what he used to be.
The days of being recognized as the NBA’s Defensive Player of the Year, an award he took home in 2012, are over for the 12-year veteran.
Though he’s a great leader and locker-room guy, Chandler struggles to score on anything other than alley-oops or putbacks. He has essentially no post moves and is an offensive liability despite his positive impact on the defensive end.
And even his presence on D is diminishing. According to Synergy Sports, opponents scored on Chandler in back-to-the-basket situations 44 percent of the time last season.
B/R's D.J. Foster also noted that trading Chandler this offseason or before the deadline could benefit the Knicks long term.
New York shouldn’t be a lottery team next year, but their 2015 first-round pick can be put to good use by drafting a legitimate big man. It could be a power forward or a true center—just someone who can score, defend and rebound on the block.
Chandler’s deal expires after next season, so it’s important that the Knicks plan for the future.
Reach at Least the Conference Finals in 2015-16
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If the Knicks follow these steps, there’s no way that they should reach anything less than the Eastern Conference Finals in 2016.
And assuming that LeBron James stays with the Miami Heat, Anthony will have another crack at dethroning the King.
Right now, the Knicks are a mess. Phil Jackson is going to have his hands full in taking this team back to the top of the East, but if he follows anything close to what’s been outlined in these 10 slides, New York should be contending as early as two seasons from now.
Over the years, the Knicks have done a lot to shatter fans' trust.
But with Anthony, Rondo, Hardaway Jr., a well-rounded roster with depth and Mark Jackson at the helm of it all, the Knicks could potentially have a shot at raising a championship banner in Madison Square Garden for the first time in more than 40 years.
All stats were taken from Basketball Reference, contract data from HoopsHype and draft information from RealGM. Everything is valid as of May 15.
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