Which NY Knicks Players Factor into Phil Jackson's Long-Term Plan?

If the New York Knicks could reset their roster and start building right now, there's only five guys Phil Jackson would keep. 

And that's related to each player's fit, purpose, upside and cost. 

This team has a number of over-the-hill, overpaid players who are essentially just taking up space and preventing management from being able to upgrade the roster. 

But that changes next summer, when many of the Knicks' big contracts finally come off the books. 

Look for the following five names to stick around into 2016-17 and later.

Carmelo Anthony, SF/PF

Frank Franklin II/Associated Press

James Dolan and Phil Jackson just handed him $124 million dollars and a five-year deal. Like it or not, the Knicks have chosen to live or die with Carmelo Anthony as the centerpiece for the next era of basketball in New York. 

To his credit, 'Melo was pretty darn good last year, having averaged 27.4 points on 45.2 percent shooting and a lights-out 40.2 percent from deep. 

But there are only a few players out there capable of single-handedly carrying their team to contention, and despite his monstrous production, Anthony isn't one of them. 

Still, he does make the Knicks relevant and ultimately one star away from being able to match up talent-wise with some of the better teams across the league. The next move is on Jackson, who can't afford to come up empty during next summer's free-agent period. 

If you ask me, I'm targeting Memphis Grizzlies center Marc Gasol, whose mid-range touch and passing fit the triangle, and whose toughness is sorely needed in New York. 

Regardless of who the Knicks target, he'll have to offer more than J.R. Smith—their current and unqualified No. 2 option.  

The Knicks can go places with Anthony—they just need to find him the right supporting cast.

Jose Calderon, PG

Tony Gutierrez/Associated Press

The fit is just too good. Jose Calderon should be able to slide seamlessly into Phil Jackson's triangle while giving the Knicks a major upgrade at the point. 

Besides, he's under contract until 2017. Calderon wasn't just a salary take-back from the Dallas Mavericks in the deal that sent them Raymond Felton and Tyson Chandler—he's part of New York's short and long-term plan.

He might even be able to help Andrea Bargnani, who, as New York Daily News' Justin Tasche points out, averaged a career-high 21.4 points per game in Toronto with Calderon running the show. 

Though not your traditional breakdown point guard, his passing and shooting stroke actually hold more value in the triangle, which is supposed to minimize one-on-one play and increase ball and player movement.

You never saw Jackson's teams in Chicago or Los Angeles with a point guard who shakes and bakes off the dribble.  

As a shooter, only six guys in the league last year shot better than Calderon did from downtown in catch-and-shoot opportunities.

Calderon isn't necessarily a guy you build around, given his age and limited upside. But he's a strong piece to build with. Though the Knicks will obviously have to add more talent next summer, Calderon gives them some backcourt stability on a reasonable contract. 

Tim Hardaway Jr., SG

Kathy Willens/Associated Press

Outside of Carmelo Anthony, Tim Hardaway Jr. has emerged as the New York Knicks' next-most-valuable asset. 

Every team could use shooters and shot-makers, something Hardaway proved he can be in just his first year in the league, having sunk 130 three-pointers at a respectable 36.3 percent clip. 

And that makes him a key contributor for this team right now. But given his youth and top-flight athleticism, there's also some appetizing upside for the Knicks to chase long term. 

Even if Hardaway doesn't improve a lick, which obviously seems unlikely, he still offers value on a deal that's going to pay him less than $4 million total over the next three seasons.

Cleanthony Early, SF

John Locher/Associated Press

The first draft choice under Phil Jackson as the Knicks' primary basketball decision-maker, Cleanthony Early should be expected to stick around.

They didn't just take him to work on as a project—new coach Derek Fisher could actually look to Early for minutes right off the bat. 

For starters, the Knicks don't even have a true backup small forward. And at 6'8", 23 years old, Early fits the bill. 

Though he took a backseat as a shot-creator during Las Vegas Summer League, his shot-making ability and athleticism were both on full display. Early has three-point range and dangerous open-floor jets.

He projects as a role player and opportunistic scorer—a guy who can finish the plays that find him in the offense, whether he's catching-and-shooting off a kick-out, cutting through the lane for a bucket or getting out on the break. 

For the Knicks, he's a rotation player contributing on a small rookie contract. There's value here, and with the Knicks paying Carmelo Anthony between $22-27 million in each of the next five years, they're going to need all the production they can get from the guys who don't take up any cap room.

Iman Shumpert, SG

Jonathan Bachman/Associated Press

Despite last year's trade rumors, Iman Shumpert remains part of the plan. Unless of course someone is willing to offer up a strong first-round pick or equal talent, but coming off a down year having shown little growth, Shump's value around the league probably isn't very high. 

He still holds significant value to the Knicks, however, considering he's one of the only guys on the roster with upside left in the tank. Between Amar'e Stoudemire, Andrea Bargnani, Samuel Dalembert and possibly J.R. Smith, depending what day of the week it is, most of the other guys are all on the decline.

Maybe Phil Jackson's triangle offense will get the best out of Shumpert, who struggled to produce consistent results under Mike Woodson's isolation-heavy offense. 

“There’s constant action going on,” Shumpert told Howard Kussoy of the New York Post regarding the new system. “I think I’ll be able to capitalize off that and I’ll be able to use my athleticism a lot more than standing in the corner.”

He's also the only ball-stopper on a Knicks' team deprived of defensive talent. 

Bottom line—New York will need guys on the rise —hopefully like Shumpert—to help make this roster look more attractive to 2015 free agents. 

They'll have to decide sooner or later whether or not to pay him long term, but if Shump finds his game, the money would be well spent. They need him to hit his stride.