Backcourt or Front: Which Should New York Knicks Address with No. 4 Pick?
True, the New York Knicks’ frontcourt roster is barer than a soccer player’s chest after a match-winning goal. Nevertheless, on draft night, the Knicks should make the backcourt a priority—because the free-agent market has far more to offer in big men and the Knicks' $7.4 million starting point guard is put to best use when he isn't put to use at all.
That said, talent trumps all. If both Emmanuel Mudiay and D’Angelo Russell are taken before New York gets its turn at No. 4, the Knicks shouldn’t go digging further into the grab bag for a lesser guard; they should scoop up the most promising forward or center available. Settling for Jahlil Okafor or even Willie Cauley-Stein wouldn't exactly be a tragedy, would it?
Unfortunately, the rumor mill is churning out signs that the New York execs might get too fancy with their wheeling and dealing, trade down for a lower pick and trick themselves out of a franchise player.
The Rumors
In case you haven’t been paying attention—and it might be healthier for you if you haven’t—here are some of the latest rumblings.
League sources told ESPN's Ian Begley that the Knicks were "serious" about the possibility of trading down to select Murray State point guard Cameron Payne, who's projected to go around the No. 10 or 11 mark in most mock drafts. Payne will reportedly work out for the Knicks ahead of the draft.
The Knicks have also scheduled workouts with centers Willie Cauley-Stein and Frank Kaminsky, reported by the New York Post. They met with small forward Justise Winslow on Monday and Mudiay on Tuesday as well.
The New York Post's Frank Isola reported the Knicks have been "enamored" with Kentucky forward Trey Lyles for months.
Bleacher Report's John Dorn speculated on a variety of other trade-down scenarios the team could try to make happen.
ESPN's Chad Ford reports that the Minnesota Timberwolves, who already have the No. 1 pick in the draft, are considering trading point guard Ricky Rubio for another high draft choice, and others have wondered if the Knicks might be interested in that deal too.
It could be that Phil Jackson, Steve Mills and their Super Friends are just examining their options, being responsible or trying to be mysterious to confuse the other teams. Yet, if past behavior is any indication, it's hard not to think that the people they're likeliest to outsmart are themselves.
But why should they do none of those things and just draft Mudiay or Russell if they're available?
Four backcourt players are under contract for the Knicks right now, but they're not necessarily the ones you want. Point guard Jose Calderon, who was an unmitigated disaster last season, and shooting guard Tim Hardaway Jr., whose streaky shooting and hapless D relegated him to the bench, have fully guaranteed contracts.
Thankfully, combo guard Langston Galloway, a wonderful mid-season D-League call-up who electrified the team, has a partly guaranteed contract, and hanger-on shooting guard Ricky Ledo has one too.
That's not good enough. Unfortunately, a quick look at the best backcourt options on the free-agent market shows the pickens are slim there too.
High-Talent Backcourt Options
Monta Ellis: player option, combo guard, Dallas Mavericks.
As I explained in detail in April, Ellis would be a perfect addition to the Knicks backcourt, and unlike the other guys on this list, they could probably coax him to New York. Ellis had an ugly slump around the All-Star break, but he’s still explosive, exciting and one of the clutchest players in the league.
Wesley Matthews: Unrestricted, shooting guard, Portland Trail Blazers.
Matthews is both a great scorer and a big energy guy. Yet Portland will likely want him back despite his season-ending Achilles tear, and they can offer him more money and Damian Lillard.
Goran Dragic: Unrestricted, point guard, Miami Heat.
Dragic fell head over heels in love with Miami and everyone and everything therein, telling Bleacher Report's Jared Zwerling that he's hoping to stay. The Heat may have had a disappointing season, but the front office will want to keep Dragic until they see him play with Chris Bosh.
Reggie Jackson: Restricted, point guard, Detroit Pistons.
The Pistons have said they're committed to Jackson, as reported by Pistons.com, so they're likely to match any offer for him.
Jimmy Butler: Restricted, combo guard, Chicago Bulls.
Jimmy Butler in a Knicks jersey is such a beautiful thought that it's nearly impossible not to get dewy-eyed and reach for the Kleenex. But pull yourself together: The Bulls will match any offer the Knicks could make.
It Might Be Nice to Have Them Back
Shane Larkin
The team still has an option on Shane Larkin they could choose to exercise. His defensive commitment, natural feel for the triangle and ability to drive to the hoop are all assets. However, he is a bit shrimpy and his performances were inconsistent in midseason.
Alexey Shved
At times, Alexey Shved was a joke because he looked like he might fall asleep at any moment, while his wild drives to the hole are so haphazard they look more like prat falls. Yet, when he's on, he is on. Knicks fans will want him back for his ability to get to the free-throw line—one of the only Knicks who managed to do so in the most recent campaign.
With the exception of Ellis, none of those free agents are likely to be tempted to move to New York, and while Shved or Larkin could be assets, neither are going to be major improvements. Any big upgrades in the backcourt would have to be made in either costly trades or the draft.
Frontcourt Options
For the frontcourt, things are a bit brighter. Under contract, the Knickerbockers have only small forwards Cleanthony Early and Carmelo Anthony, who usually plays at the 3 spot but could be moved to the 4. There are plenty of excellent players out there to join them.
In the "I know you think you can afford this, but you can't" category are the Blazers' LaMarcus Aldridge, the Los Angeles Clippers' DeAndre Jordan and the Memphis Grizzlies' Marc Gasol. Any one of them will cost about $19 million for the first season. As it stands right now, the Knicks have about $27 million to spend and eight roster spots on which to spend it.
Greg Monroe of the Detroit Pistons and Paul Millsap of the Atlanta Hawks would be a few million dollars cheaper. Monroe would give the Knicks the low-post presence they've severely lacked, and Millsap would not only score but give the defense a major boost.
Another tempting big man is the Blazers' Robin Lopez, an energetic, athletic, defense-first center who could help protect the rim if he could be persuaded to leave Portland.
If the Knicks seriously consider shifting Melo to the 4 spot and adding some more small forwards to the squad, the first one to call is DeMarre "Junkyard Dog" Carroll of the Atlanta Hawks. Carroll's a tenacious defender and was one of the NBA playoffs' great stars because he was lighting it up on the scoreboards too. Carroll has already said he would "most definitely" consider the Knicks this summer, per Marc Berman of the New York Post.
If not Carroll, then Khris Middleton of the Milwaukee Bucks and Tobias Harris of the Orlando Magic, who is a restricted free agent, would also be worth a ring.
And let's not forget the gentlemen who wore blue-and-orange last season and might be worth calling back: Cole Aldrich, Lou Amundson, Jason Smith, Lance Thomas and that other guy I'm trying to forget about.
There’s also defensive dynamo small forward Thanasis Antetokounmpo, who cooled his heels in the D-League last season. Antetokounmpo's agent told ESPN’s Ian Begley that although "there is nothing on paper yet," the Knicks have said they still plan to sign Antetokounmpo to the big-boys' team this offseason.
So while there are more empty slots to fill in the frontcourt, there's also more material with which to work.
Take the Point Guard
This isn't just a supply-and-demand issue, though. The other key reason to draft Mudiay or Russell first is that the existing backcourt needs a hero.
The Knicks were worst in the league in points in the paint and fast-break points, and they were second to last in free-throw attempts, which cost them dearly. The right point guard can make a huge difference in improving all those numbers. Cue the "but you don't need a strong point guard in the triangle offense" argument.
It's true: The triangle offense does not demand a dominant point guard. However, it also can’t work with just any point guard. Jose Calderon and his 7-35 record were proof of that.
The triangle requires excellent passing and quick cuts—areas where Mudiay and Russell both show promise—not over-dribbling and turnovers—areas where Calderon excelled.
Besides, the triangle is not the only thing involved in a basketball game. There’s also defense. And for that matter, there’s also more to the offense. Phil Jackson himself said at an event in April, via PostingAndToasting: "Forget about the Triangle. That comes after everything else."
Fast-break buckets and drives to the hoop are the first choices, and when those things are unavailable, the triangle goes into action, looking for easier shot opportunities by moving the ball and players around the court. The point of the triangle isn’t to slavishly play within the half-court, and it certainly isn’t to make everyone shoot more low-efficiency jumpers.
Russell, a genius passer and intern at the State Farm Bureau of Assists, would certainly take to the triangle beautifully. Mudiay, a fast-break drive-and-dish machine, would definitely get the points-in-the-paint and transition game cooking.
Perhaps just as importantly, they’re talented enough to push Calderon out of the lineup. I know that sounds vicious, but let’s be honest: Calderon was a liability. New York's starting lineup must be rid of him. However it happens, it would be addition by subtraction.
Keep it Simple...
If, however, the Timberwolves, Lakers and Sixers slide promise rings onto Mudiay's and Russell's fingers first, the Knicks shouldn't panic and or crank up the trade machine.
At that point, they should simply call the name of a very talented big man. Jahlil Okafor, Karl-Anthony Towns and Willie Cauley-Stein all flow off the tongue quite nicely, and at least one of them will be available. You'd rather take Justise Winslow? That's fine too.
Pop the champagne, tell the DJ to spin some Kool and the Gang and celebrate having the best draft in years.
Just don't, for the love of Ewing, trade that pick.
All stats from NBA.com/stats. Follow Sara Peters on Twitter @3FromThe7.
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