New York Knicks' 2015 Offseason Deadline Shopping List

With the NBA's trade market heating up, the New York Knicks are likely to do everything they can to create as much cap space as possible for the upcoming offseason.

The 2014-15 season became a lost cause for the Knicks months ago, and the decision to trade Iman Shumpert and J.R. Smith in a salary dump confirms that Phil Jackson and company have their eyes solely on the future of the franchise.

As it stands, New York has only five players under contract for 2015-16 and so are poised to be big spenders in free agency in any scenario. If the Knicks succeed in also trading away Jose Calderon without taking back any future salary, as Marc Stein and Ian Begley of ESPN.com reports they are actively trying to do, they'd be in a great position to make multiple major signings on the open market.

Taking a look at the types of roles they need filled, let's go through an offseason shopping list for the Knicks, outlining potential targets based on their likely cap situation after the deadline. For the purposes of this article, that will mean leaving New York with roughly $24 million to spend accounting for guaranteed contracts and a cap hold for their draft pick. 

Blockbuster Stars

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As much as fans and, probably, management alike would hope for it to happen, realistically the Knicks are going to find it very difficult to bring in a major star in free agency. 

Outside of money and the allure of Phil Jackson, the Knicks don't have too much to offer right now, especially in contrast with the teams a lot of these guys are coming from. Their star, Carmelo Anthony, is struggling with injury and outside of their draft pick (which doesn't guarantee a great player) there isn't much else of note. 

There are definitely some major names out there this summer. Marc Gasol, LaMarcus Aldridge and Rajon Rondo could all potentially make a huge difference in New York, but you'd have to think the chances of them leaving their current situations for any team, never mind the Knicks, is slim. 

For the sake of argument, the Knicks will have the money to bring in one of these guys on a max deal, so they can't be completely counted out if the Zen Master works his magic. It just has to be accepted that it's unlikely at this point.

Potential Options: Marc Gasol, LaMarcus Aldridge, Rajon Rondo

Long-Term Point Guards

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If the Knicks are serious about trading Jose Calderon, chances are they're on the lookout for an upgrade at point guard in free agency.

While the triangle doesn't necessarily emphasize the position, it also happens to be the most stacked position in the league right now. Being stuck with an aging player who only contributes on one end of the floor is not ideal, even if it can be made to work with talent elsewhere on the roster.

Trading Calderon would leave the Knicks with enough room to pursue a solid upgrade and still have enough money left for another signing elsewhere on the court. It's also worth noting that a potential Calderon trade wouldn't have to happen this season—moving him in the summer as part of a sign-and-trade, for example, could be an alternative.

Again, the Knicks aren't in need of an absolute superstar here, but there are a few very nice starters out there who'd be fits in the triangle, like Goran Dragic and Reggie Jackson, both of whom they've already been linked to.

Dragic has been quoted by the NY Daily News as saying the Knicks are definitely an option for him, while Jackson has also been outlined as a target by Ian Begley of ESPNNewYork despite not being acquired in the Shumpert trade.

Potential Options: Goran Dragic, Reggie Jackson, Jeremy Lin

Defensive-Minded Centers

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The Knicks' defense has been terrible this season, in large part due to lacking a defensive presence at center in the absence of Tyson Chandler, who was traded away to save money for the coming offseason.

Finding a replacement is essential if the Knicks intend to be competitive again, and there are going to be options in free agency (although it should be noted that they will struggle to fill every need in just one year).

Robin Lopez is underpaid making just $5.3 million with the Portland Trail Blazers, and with LaMarcus Aldridge likely to get a big pay day and Nicolas Batum following suit in 2016, they may struggle to pay Lopez what he's worth.

That will leave the Knicks with a chance to make a move for someone who's still very young at age 26, and could be a great fit as long as they don't overpay him. The same could be said of someone like Omer Asik or DeAndre Jordan, although the latter is unlikely to leave the Clippers who can spend as much as they need in order to keep him around.

Potential Options: Robin Lopez,  DeAndre Jordan, Omer Asik

Forward Partners for Carmelo Anthony

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Carmelo Anthony has essentially moved back to small forward in the triangle offense but a lot of his best basketball has still tended to come in the post, where he takes advantage of matchup issues afforded to him by his unusual strength for the position.

Ideally, the Knicks will find Anthony a partner at forward who has a diverse enough game to let 'Melo play inside and out, while also giving him some help on the defensive end with the ability to swap based on matchups.

Of all upcoming free agents, Paul Millsap would fit the bill nicely, and he could probably be added for a fair enough price to leave the Knicks with enough money for a solid upgrade elsewhere on the court in addition. Convincing him the Knicks have a better situation than the Atlanta Hawks is the difficult part, but with Melo, a high pick and another free agent on his level, theoretically it can be done.

As a Plan B, the likes of Thaddeus Young and Jeff Green could also be options, although they’re not the types of players New York should be building its offseason around—they’re better as supplementary players to add after making a splash elsewhere on the court.

Potential Options: Paul Millsap, Thaddeus Young (ETA), Jeff Green

Restricted Free-Agent Prospects

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After moving Iman Shumpert, the Knicks are particularly short of young prospects right now. Outside of Tim Hardaway Jr., who many are doubtful of due to his one-dimensional game and struggles with efficiency this season, New York doesn't have anyone who could really be labelled a marquee prospect.

The draft will of course hand the Knicks the opportunity to land an elite prospect, but a rebuild is going to need more than just one talented young player. Given their cap space and minimal chances of landing a blockbuster superstar, the Knicks should focus a lot of their attention on restricted free agency, where they may be able to outbid a team for a player that isn't necessarily a great fit in their current situation.

Given the nature of restricted free agency, the Knicks aren't guaranteed to sign anyone, and a lot of teams will match offers just to keep a hold of a tradable asset even if the payer isn't someone they necessarily want to build around.

According to SNY.tv, Tobias Harris has interest in the Knicks after working out with 'Melo over the summer. He’d be a solid fit long term and immediately be the Knicks’ most talented prospect depending on who they draft, but at the same time it’s unlikely that the Orlando Magic let him go for any price within reason.

Of course, the Knicks will need to be smart here—teams tend to have to overpay to pry away a restricted free agent, but there should be an understanding that this first offseason isn’t the be all and end all of rebuilding. Adding talent isn’t that useful if it limits what New York can do in future seasons.

Potential Options: Tobias Harris, Brandon Knight, Draymond Green