5-Step Plan for New York Knicks to Return to Playoffs in 2015-16
The New York Knicks have too many problems to be solved by one man, so during this desperate offseason, they must be careful not to devote all their hard-earned cap space to one star.
The Knicks need a reliable scorer to back up Carmelo Anthony. They were also swirling around the bottom of the league in free-throw attempts, rebounds, points in the paint and transition offense. Their perimeter defense was dismal, rim protection anemic and slams rare.
That's a lot of weak points to bolster in one offseason, even when you've got cash to spend. If Knicks president Phil Jackson and general manager Steve Mills want to make the playoffs in 2015-16, they'll need to address them all.
Here's an attempt to do just that.
1. Draft Emmanuel Mudiay
HoopsHype calls 6'5", 19-year-old point guard Emmanuel Mudiay "an elite level PG with the dynamic talent to be in the category of PGs such as Derrick Rose, John Wall and Damian Lillard." Mudiay "is special" and "has it all," according to Larry Brown, who said so in an interview with 97.5 FM The Fanatic's Mike Missanelli (via Matt Lombardo of NJ.com).
The last elite point guard to wear a Knicks jersey was Jason Kidd, and he was 40 years old and playing off the bench at the time. The opportunity to draft a talent like Mudiay is too good to miss—especially in a year when the free-agent market is flush with strong big men and slim on guards.
He is tall, strong, quick and can stop and turn on a dime. He gets to the hoop and to the line, helping to solve two of the Knicks' key problems: free-throw attempts and points in the paint. (Yes I know that Alexey Shved draws fouls too, but nobody is comparing him to John Wall.)
Mudiay also thrives in transition and is "at his best as a scorer and distributor in the open floor," according to DraftExpress's Mike Schmitz. He could lift the Knicks off the bottom of the fast-break points rankings. He has exquisite court vision and passing ability, and even plays defense, if you'd believe it.
Due to injury, Mudiay only played 12 games for Guangdong in the short 37-game Chinese Basketball Association season, yet he's still maintained a rank of third or fourth in most mock drafts. Even if the Knicks get a higher pick, Mudiay would be the right choice.
2. Convince Monta Ellis To Leave Dallas And Sign In New York
'Melo can't do it alone. The triangle offense helps other players get open looks, but the Knicks still need another guy on the squad who can reliably score a dozen or more per night. Dallas Mavericks combo guard Monta Ellis could be that guy if he opts out of his contract and becomes a free agent.
The Knicks have had plenty of characters who were capable of dropping 25 a night, but couldn't be counted on to score 12. (Ahem, J.R. Smith.) Shooters have slumps; that's their nature. And Ellis did have a nasty slump after the All-Star Break this season. Yet, even after that dip, he ended the year with an average of 18.9 points and a 44.5 field-goal percentage.
Ellis is explosive off the dribble, has great handles, drives to the bucket, draws fouls and is a thrilling player to watch. In clutch situations, he is, hands-down, one of the league's best.
The Houston Rockets made relatively quick work of the Mavericks in Round 1 of the playoffs, but that's not Ellis' fault. He averaged 26 points, 5.2 assists, 3.2 rebounds, 2.0 steals and shot 46.8 percent in the Mavs' one win and four losses.
Sure, he may not be chummy with the media. What shooting guard isn't without his quirks? Sure, he may be grumpy from time to time. Who wouldn't have been this season with Rajon Rondo around?
The Dallas Morning News' Eddie Sefko wrote of Ellis, "He’s a private person, but his teammates say he’s fun-loving and has strong character in the locker room."
Ellis is set to make just over $9 million next year if he stays in Dallas. Rondo's colossal implosion during the playoffs makes it highly unlikely he'll be back in Dallas, which might make Ellis more interested in staying, yet Sefko tentatively predicts Ellis will opt out.
If so, Phil Jackson ought to be the first guy who comes a'courting.
3. Sign Greg Monroe In Free Agency
Detroit Pistons 6'11", 250-pound center-forward Greg Monroe isn't flashy, but he scores 15.9 points and wrestles down 10.2 rebounds per game in a relentless, workhorse fashion. Apparently, he'll be approaching free agency the same way.
“There’ll be no tours, no parades, no balloons," said Monroe's agent, David Falk, per the New York Post's Marc Berman. "This is a business decision, where he wants to go to work."
Falk denied earlier rumors reported by Isola that Monroe signing with New York was "about as close to a done deal as you can get" in the words of an unnamed league executive. Yet, he did indicate that New York would probably be on the list of teams to consider.
Monroe would give the Knicks that powerful post-up presence and threat at the rim they've been woefully missing. He would bring their rebounding out of the doldrums and ratchet up their second-chance points.
Monroe currently makes $5.48 million for Detroit, but he's expected to draw max or near-max money this offseason, so he could cost New York near $15 million. The Knicks should aim a bit below max money if they can, but at only 24 years old, Monroe could be a smart investment for the team to make.
4. Get Defensive-Minded Center or Small Forward for the Right Price
Head coach Derek Fisher and the Knicks have a choice. They could play Carmelo Anthony and Monroe at the 3 and 4 spots, respectively, and add a center to the roster, or they could move 'Melo and Monroe to the 4 and 5 and add a small forward.
The Knicks need someone like the Utah Jazz's stunning, young Rudy Gobert. The 7'1", 220-pound Frenchman was third in the league in blocks and had a defensive rating that was right up there with Draymond Green and DeAndre Jordan's numbers.
Jackson and Mills need to be on the lookout for another Gobert on their scouting trips in Europe, because the free agent market stateside has less to offer in the right price range. Kosta Koufos, who is Marc Gasol's back-up in Memphis, is one option. The 26-year-old 7-footer cost the Grizzlies $3 million this season and is good for 5.3 rebounds in 16.6 minutes.
If the Knicks go instead with the small forward option, there are several intriguing unrestricted free agents with strong defensive credibility, particularly the Atlanta Hawks' DeMarre Carroll, the Milwaukee Bucks' Khris Middleton and the Orlando Magic's Tobias Harris.
At 28, Carroll is the oldest of the three. He made $2.44 million this season and Atlanta will definitely try to keep him. But he might be tempted away if given the chance to play for a better fanbase. He has one of the best defensive ratings at his position, and he's been outstanding on offense in the playoffs. He scored over 20 points in six straight playoff games, the first Hawks player to do so since Dominique Wilkins in 1988.
At 6'7", the 23-year-old Middleton plays both the 2 and 3 spots. He made $915,253 from the Bucks in 2014-15, and caused plenty of trouble for the Chicago Bulls during Round 1 of the playoffs. Harris, 6'8", 22, made $2.38 million in Orlando. The Knicks also have the option of calling up Thanasis Antetokounmpo from the D-League.
5. Re-sign Energetic Players From 2014-15
They caused some fans fits of apoplectic rage by daring to win three games in April, jeopardizing their lottery rank. Yet, looking toward next season, those energetic players who simply couldn't bring themselves to lose are precisely the ones who should be brought back.
Langston Galloway and Tim Hardaway Jr. already have contracts. Lou Amundson should be a definite to return. Cole Aldrich, Lance Thomas, Shane Larkin and Alexey Shved would be next on my list, but there are arguments to be made for Jason Smith, Quincy Acy and Cleanthony Early.
By all means, however, Jackson and Mills must resist the siren song of Andrea Bargnani. His fine 2014-15 performances aside, the continuing injury risk is not worth it. Let him continue his NBA journey elsewhere.
Plan B
The trouble with this plan, of course, is that Jackson and Mills only seem interested in drafting big men, not Mudiay. If they persist in that mission, the hot-ticket item is Kentucky power forward Karl-Anthony Towns.
In that case, the weak spot will be at the point. The Knicks should then make a run at the Pistons' Reggie Jackson, who becomes a restricted free agent. However, Stan Van Gundy may not let Phil Jackson steal both Jackson and Monroe away from him at the same time.
The key point: Don't spend all that salary-cap space in one place.
After that, it's up to Derek Fisher and whatever gentlemen suit up in blue and orange come October.
Defensive ratings stats from RealGM. Payroll data from Basketball-Reference. All other stats from NBA.com/Stats. Follow Sara Peters on Twitter @3FromThe7.
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