Options and Questions Abound for New York Knicks' Center Position
More than a year after hiring Phil Jackson to take over basketball operations, with Carmelo Anthony locked up through the prime of his career and most of the previous regime's acquisitions in the rear-view mirror, the New York Knicks can finally begin to round out a mostly barren roster.
Several teams can stand to add depth to the frontcourt, but perhaps none more than New York. Only six players are under contract for next season, none of which are big men. Derek Fisher's squad witnessed the triangle flounder early last season—with a full-strength roster—when futily trying to operate with Samuel Dalembert, Cole Aldrich and others at center.
Solidifying the defensive end will be equal important. With Anthony, generally a minus on defense, at a forward position, it would behoove Jackson to employ a center who could protect the rim and help mask New York's potential defensive flaws.
The 2014-15 season was an historically bad one for the Knicks, but it comes with the reward of a high lottery pick and ample cap space. There are several holes to fill throughout the roster, but the center position should be a top priority this summer.
Requirements
Historically, at its best, the triangle has operated with a high-I.Q. center--A big that can not only operate as a scorer out of the post but have the vision to make reads and passes from the block.
Not only the ability to dominate the paint, but the mobility to roam, cut and be active as a screener also makes for a perfect fit. Below, after an early Knicks win against the Cleveland Cavaliers, former triangle center Shaquille O'Neal explained some of the necessary actions.
Much is made about the Knicks' triangle system, and rightfully so. There are still questions as to whether or not the offense has been outsmarted by modern analytics. Even if it can succeed today, it takes a very particular group of talent—as the Knicks showed last season, with a poor-fitting squad, the results can be disastrous.
But for the Knicks, who have finished bottom-10 defensively in 10 of the last 12 seasons, shoring up that end of the court starts with a rim protector.
It won't be easy to find a defensive difference-maker who can also seamlessly slide into the triangle. But if Jackson has to sacrifice one skill for another when deciding on a 5, the team's $25 million-plus in cap room should allow him to cover any weaknesses elsewhere in the lineup.
With that said, a final requirement for the position is a relatively modest salary—meaning far enough below the maximum to allow for upgrades at other positions as well. With the exception of Marc Gasol and perhaps DeAndre Jordan, no center is worthy of a near-$20 million contract, despite the team's ability to offer that price tag.
Spending for spending's sake is partially to blame for New York being in this position. Hopefully for Knicks fans, Jackson's front office isn't as loose with the checkbook as previous regimes.
Potential Draft Candidates
Karl-Anthony Towns and Jahlil Okafor were options No. 1 and No. 2 before the draft lottery, but a few unlucky bounces knocked the Knicks out of contention for either.
Looking deeper into the draft at No. 4, the Knicks could still select next year's starting center—though it would be a bit of a reach. Willie Cauley-Stein has been projected closer to the 5-10 range, but there have been links to the Knicks in predraft rumor mills.
According to ESPN.com's Chad Ford, the team has been interested in the Kentucky big man. "[T]wo different sources today told me the Knicks are also looking strongly at Willie Cauley-Stein," Ford wrote in a mailbag column. "They want a strong defender in New York which explains the Winslow and Cauley-Stein interest."
Cauley-Stein doesn't project to be a major offensive force individually, which raises questions regarding his fit in the triangle. But he could be the best defender in the draft, and his athleticism and big frame could be utilized off the ball in cuts and screens.
SI.com's Luke Winn further explained Cauley-Stein's defensive versatility:
"Cauley-Stein's real value became evident in rim protection (he was Kentucky's best at this); overall turnovers forced (also best on the team on a per-possession basis); switchability on pick-and-rolls, handoffs and off-ball screens; and his ability to act as a sort of rover who could, on any given possession, guard men on the blocks, cut off penetration, or close out on perimeter shooters. It's these hard-to-track and less-quantifiable attributes that make Cauley-Stein a justifiable top-five pick with the potential for a long, valuable NBA career.
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The next centers to go in the draft could be Frank Kaminsky and Myles Turner, who would only be in play for the Knicks if they trade down from the No. 4 spot. Wisconsin's Kaminsky has an intriguing set of skills for a 7-footer, including a jump shot that extends to the three-point line. But nobody can tell exactly how those skills will translate in the pros, especially considering his struggles on the defensive end.
Turner, out of Texas, is far off in terms of development at 19 years old. He's long and has a jump shot in his arsenal, but his mobility is questionable, and he isn't much of a factor in the paint.
If Jackson opts to nab a center via the draft, it would likely be Cauley-Stein. Though at No. 4 overall, the value is a bit questionable.
Free-Agency Targets
When it comes to teams in New York's position, realism is key. Madison Square Garden and the bright lights of Manhattan alone won't be enough to sway top free agents toward a 17-win team.
For this reason, Gasol—the Knicks' dream free-agency prize—will presumably be out of the question. On a Memphis Grizzlies team that has won 50 games in each of the last three years, the only organization that could provide him with more would be the San Antonio Spurs, if Tim Duncan creates cap space by retiring.
Besides Gasol, there are some interesting, though still far-fetched names New York can consider.
DeAndre Jordan may opt to leave the Los Angeles Clippers this summer as an unrestricted free agent, though his current team can offer him more money than any other. With Bill Reiter of Fox Sports recently reporting that Jordan and teammate Chris Paul had a "falling out" toward the end of the season, the door has been slightly opened regarding the 26-year-old exploring other options.
Jordan is rarely responsible for much offense outside of the paint and has never been much of a playmaker for Los Angeles. His defense is game-changing at the rim, but with his asking price likely near max value, the Knicks may look in different directions considering the iffy triangle fit.
Brook Lopez of the crosstown Brooklyn Nets could be a free agent if he opts out of his $16.7 million 2015-16 campaign, which would create an intriguing scenario for the Knicks.
Lopez is one of the more gifted and versatile offensive centers in the league, and he could be a fit in the triangle while helping reduce the load from Anthony's shoulders. But constant injury woes are concerning, especially when the 27-year-old will likely be looking to secure a long-term contract.
The player most linked to New York over this past season has been 6'11" big man Greg Monroe, who seems destined to part ways with the Detroit Pistons after playing this season on his one-year qualifying offer.
Monroe is a talented scorer and willing playmaker. But his offensive strengths largely overlap with Anthony's. With neither adding anything noteworthy on defense, chasing Monroe in free agency could be more trouble than it's worth.
In April, B/R's Dan Favale wrote about how poor the fit would be in New York:
"Monroe is, without question, an upgrade over anyone the Knicks have playing up front at the moment. He's averaging a career-high 16.0 points and 10.3 rebounds per game, and he passes well for a big man, making him an attractive fit for the famed triangle offense New York is attempting to mimic. He's also never posted a player efficiency rating below 18.
Or made a three-pointer.
Or been viewed as a strong defensive presence.
Or made the playoffs.
Or effectively proved he's worth the max contract his agent is after.
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For a player that should be seeking max dollars, Monroe doesn't figure to be a working piece to this puzzle.
If the team opts to take a guard at No. 4 in the draft, lower-profile moves would probably be Jackson's strategy. Robin Lopez is a free agent this summer, and though he isn't polished offensively, has served as defensive anchor on a sound Portland Trail Blazers team. Kosta Koufos is a career reserve, but has produced well whenever given the opportunity on both ends.
Enes Kanter is a restricted free agent this summer, and provided offensive spark for the Thunder late in the season. But after trading for the 6'11" center, Oklahoma City could be inclined to match a reasonable offer.
The Knicks will certainly have several options after this season, and plenty of cash to throw around for the first time in several years.
But it's important to remember where thoughtless spending has gotten the Knicks over the last decade-plus.
There are roster holes to fill, and the center position is a gaping one. The team is desperate for talent, but in the middle, New York would most benefit from a very specific set of skills.
Whether or not they can find those skills will be a good indicator of how the 2015-16 season will go for Jackson, Fisher and the Knicks.
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