Knicks GM Steve Mills Comments on Offseason Priorities, Free Agency, More

New York Knicks general manager Steve Mills spoke Wednesday about the team's offseason plans, including the position he's most eager to fill in free agency. 

"It's clear we need a lead guard, someone that can really carry the load, day in and day out," said Mills in an interview with MSG Network, per ESPN.com's Ian Begley. "That's something that I think is one of our biggest needs."

Point guard is indeed a spot New York would do well to fill under new coach Jeff Hornacek. Current face of the franchise Carmelo Anthony would benefit from a savvy floor general to take on some of the leadership burden and create offense for others.

The open market figures to be thin at the position this summer; the clear best option among unrestricted free agents is Memphis Grizzlies standout Mike Conley. Grizzlies GM Chris Wallace confidently proclaimed in April the team would re-sign Conley, per ESPN 92.9 FM's Chris Vernon.

Mercurial passing magician Rajon Rondo, who averaged 11.7 assists per contest last season, spoke in March about how he could fit in the triangle offense after previously saying it "wasn't a good look" for him.

"I had a comment earlier about it, but if I put my mind at it, I think I can be good at anything," said Rondo, per the New York Post's Ryan Lazo.

Josh Eberley of Hoops Habit doesn't see Rondo as a good fit in the Big Apple: 

If not Conley or Rondo, a reunion with "Linsanity" catalyst Jeremy Lin may be the next-best option for New York. While it would present a sentimental signing and likely excite the fanbase, Lin isn't quite the player Conley is or the All-Star-caliber stud the Knicks need.

Alex Kennedy of Basketball Insiders reported on another potential fit, Boston Celtics combo guard/point forward Evan Turner, who had a career-high 5.5 assists per game in 2014-15.

Bleacher Report's Howard Beck felt Brandon Jennings would be among the good fits for the Knicks:

Without any picks in the 2016 draft, New York needs to make its upgrades through free agency and trades. Mills and team president Phil Jackson were part of the brain trust that drafted Kristaps Porzingis No. 4 overall in last year's draft, which looks like a magnificent decision.

"Why can't he be a top-five player in this league? Why can't he be the best player in this league?" Hornacek said of Porzingis last week, per the Wall Street Journal's Chris Herring.

Anthony and Porzingis are a nice foundation, yet point guard is a glaring area in need of an upgrade, and 2-guard Arron Afflalo has a player option to get out of his contract this summer.

Given the probable dearth of options in free agency, New York may be better off trading for a lead guard. The problem is the Knicks don't necessarily have enough assets to do so, because any deal may mean sacrificing one of the aforementioned few cornerstones they have in place.

Jose Calderon has an expiring contract and may be an attractive trade chip, but it's hard to imagine a package involving him would net an immediate backcourt upgrade.