Knicks Rumors: Latest on Joakim Noah, Jamal Crawford and More

Perhaps no rebuilding team's future hinges more on this summer than the New York Knicks.

Unlike the Los Angeles Lakers, a franchise with three years of strong draft picks to reinforce the future, the Knicks hinge on free agency to round out a roster led by Carmelo Anthony, Kristaps Porzingis and the newly acquired Derrick Rose.

Rebuilds don't happen overnight, but team president Phil Jackson has needed to take his time as financial and pick-less handcuffs get unlocked one at a time. Looking over the roster, the team still needs to find two players to round out a starting five able to compete in the Eastern Conference.

Based on recent rumblings, Jackson and the front office are hard at work in this pursuit. Here's the latest.

Knicks Chasing Jamal Crawford?

Shooting guard is one of the major red flags on New York's roster right now, and the Knicks don't figure to spend a boatload of cash on the spot.

Said cash seems like it would go toward a miracle like Kevin Durant or a starting center, especially with the roster's point guard and small forward already housing so much scoring potential. A veteran who can score at a reliable clip and won't demand loads of cash makes the most sense. 

Someone like Jamal Crawford. Dan Woike of the Orange County Register noted the Knicks are one of many teams interested in the veteran: "Crawford is expected to receive interest from the New York Knicks, the Miami Heat, the Toronto Raptors, the Dallas Mavericks, the Orlando Magic and the Brooklyn Nets in addition to the Clippers."

Crawford is the perfect fit. He's 36 years old, so he won't be in a position to demand crazy cash. Last year, on an average of 26.9 minutes per game, he shot 40 percent from the floor while averaging 14.2 points.

Oh, and he loves New York, where he played for four seasons starting in 2004.

"I'm not talking about any one team, but everyone knows how I feel about New York," Crawford said, according to Frank Isola of the New York Daily News. "I really enjoyed my time there."

It's not often the Knicks will find a strong fit who so openly would like to play with the rebuilding team, so it won't be a shock to see Jackson jump all over this.

Eric Gordon on the List?

Remember Eric Gordon, the guy who averaged 22.3 points per game with the Los Angeles Clippers in 2010 and looked like a breakout star?

Like Crawford, Gordon won't find himself in a position to demand a huge contract this offseason because he only appeared in 45 games last year while averaging 15.2 points. Gordon can't shake his injury history, having played in just nine, 42, 64, 61 and 45 games over his past five seasons.

According to Steve Kyler of Basketball Insiders, though, the Knicks have an interest:

It's going to come down to price, especially with the Knicks needing to address the center position as well.

At the least, New York can offer Gordon what many can't—guaranteed playing time. At one time, lining up Rose, Gordon and Anthony would have been one of the most feared fronts in the Association.

Now, at least, the 27-year-old Gordon would get to play his game without the burden of carrying a team. Gordon is a risk for the Knicks, but one worth taking given the lack of firepower the team has had over the past few seasons.

The Obvious Move

It seems destiny will marry Joakim Noah and the Knicks this summer.

One doesn't have to follow the NBA too closely to know Noah is likely done with the Chicago Bulls. Not only did the front office trade Rose, it's losing Pau Gasol to free agency after the team landed as one of the most disappointing around last year.

Not only that, the Bulls gave their former leader down low just 21.9 minutes per game. He got a demotion, and like anyone, it's hard to imagine he would want to re-up with the Bulls and save the team knowing he wasn't the first choice.

Noah certainly sounds like the first choice in New York, according to Marc Berman of the New York Post.

"According to an NBA source, the Knicks have 'a very high interest' in signing the 6'11" Noah to play center in a frontcourt that would feature Carmelo Anthony and Kristaps Porzingis. Another NBA source said Noah is eager for at least a sit-down with the Knicks," Berman wrote.

Noah is 31 years old and hasn't averaged double-digit points or rebounds since 2013, but he's got plenty of run left after reduced usage. He's also an upgrade on Kyle O'Quinn, who seems like the starter in New York after the team packaged Robin Lopez in the Rose deal.

There's an inherent risk with Noah because he only played in 29 games last year before a shoulder injury ruined his season. But Berman cites the Rose-Noah relationship as a major reason the center won't prioritize money if signing with New York.

Like Crawford, Noah has an interest in the Knicks, and it's something a rebuilding team cannot afford to ignore, instead wasting time trying to woo guys who don't have the team atop their lists.

All stats and info via ESPN.com unless otherwise specified.