Final New York Knicks Shopping List for 2016 NBA Free Agency
Let's get this out of the way right now. Yes, at this very moment, the New York Knicks have enough cap space to sign Kevin Durant to a max contract—and then seven guys you've never heard of fished out of the summer league pool.
They could do that, or they could build a strong, well-rounded squad from the selection of promising mid-level talent on the market.
I know which route I'd choose.
Why Not Durant? Here's Why...
The Durant conversation may be moot at this point.
News broke Wednesday night—first reported by the Washington Post's Tim Bontemps, then by ESPN's Marc Stein and Ian Begley—that the Knicks are expected to sign Joakim Noah for about $18 million per season. That bill would take them out of the running for KD entirely.
But Noah aside (more on him later), there's more to consider. According to the ESPN report, New York will have roughly $30 million to spend this summer.
Max contracts are based on a percentage of the salary cap; when the cap goes up, so does the max. They're also determined by how long a player has been in the league. So if the cap jumps to $94 million, as projected per The Vertical's Shams Charania, Durant will be entitled to approximately $28.3 million, leaving the Knicks with chump change to divvy up on at least seven players (they need 13 minimum and only have five now).
Sure, the Knicks could lean over the cap to re-sign players from last season or new players at the minimum salary. Sure, they could try to coax Durant into a one-year contract below the max, knowing the following: He could re-sign for much more when the cap explodes again next year, and he (as the most adorable NBA star in history) has told ESPN's Marc Stein that his main concern is "I just want to have fun playing ball."
Or the Knicks could let Durant have fun elsewhere while they build a more well-rounded team in New York. We'll focus on that scenario.
Here's what the front office should have on the list.
Starting 2-Guard
Evan Turner or Kent Bazemore or Bradley Beal
Neither the Boston Celtics' Evan Turner nor the Atlanta Hawks' Kent Bazemore is a traditional shooting guard, but either of these swingmen would be a good fit for the Knicks at the starting 2.
They're both fantastic defenders and exceptional scorers in transition. With Bazemore, you also get three-point shooting. In Turner you get a tougher post-up player who can drill mid-range jump shots all the livelong day and make glorious passes to teammates...just no threes.
If it's a true shooting guard you want, the Washington Wizards' Bradley Beal is definitely one of the most talented on the market—with, unfortunately, one of the more frustrating injury histories.
In the 2014-15 season, a healthy Beal and John Wall were so productive and exciting together, they rivaled Steph Curry and Klay Thompson for best young backcourt. Washington may want to rekindle that spark, and it can match offers for Beal, who is a restricted free agent.
If the Wizards' memories aren't so good, New York would welcome Beal's speed, dexterity and 44.9 percent field-goal shooting.
Backcourt Bench
Jerryd Bayless or Shane Larkin
New York now has its bona fide starting point guard (hallelujah) in Derrick Rose, but he'll need a backup. Former Knick Shane Larkin blossomed for the Brooklyn Nets when he was released from the triangle offense.
New York probably wouldn't ask him back (since it declined to re-sign him after the 2014-15 season), but it could be a better match now.
If new head coach Jeff Hornacek is permitted to run a more uptempo pick-and-roll offense, with some triangle elements, Larkin's sticky fingers, lightning speed and ability to drive to the hoop would fit right in.
If not, the Milwaukee Bucks' Jerryd Bayless is another option. He spends most of his time scowling, but his sweet 43.7 percent three-point shooting would have Knicks fans grinning for sure.
Langston Galloway (Re-sign)
Langston Galloway's jump shot had its ups and downs last season, but what never wavered was his ability to boost the performance of the team around him, whatever the lineup.
At his best, Gallo is a pesky defender who runs the fast break to perfection and nails the game-changing three at the big moment. He made less than $1 million from the Knicks last season, and they'd no doubt get him at a bargain again.
Starting Center
Joakim Noah
Official contracts with free agents cannot be signed until July 7, but verbal agreements will be permitted starting Friday at 12:01 a.m. ET. According to ESPN's Marc Stein and Ian Begley, "Sources told ESPN that multiple teams interested in [Joakim] Noah have all but conceded that the Knicks are his runaway preferred destination."
So if all goes to plan, Noah will be reunited with Rose, as well as his hometown.
Some people won't like spending the cash on Noah because he's coming off a lousy year with injury woes. New York fans should remember, though, that it was only December 19, 2015 that Noah smacked the Knicks around with a 21-point, 10-rebound performance.
Besides, with Robin Lopez gone, the Knicks are short one high-energy, wild-haired, gangly center.
Noah still has gas in the tank, agility, superb passing ability and ferocious defensive intensity. In New York, his performances may shine again when given a chance to be himself, instead of squashing into a role that didn't suit him alongside Pau Gasol in Fred Hoiberg's system.
If not Noah, the choices are slimmer for the starting 5-spot, because other players are likely staying at home. The Golden State Warriors made a qualifying offer to Festus Ezeli, per ESPN.com, and Bismack Biyombo has already indicated that he'd like to stay with the Toronto Raptors and is patiently waiting for them to work out a deal with DeMar DeRozan first, per USA Today's Sam Amick. Andre Drummond will likely stay with the Detroit Pistons for a max deal.
Frontcourt Bench
Derrick Williams (Re-sign) or Garrett Temple
The Knicks didn't have much of a fast-break offense last season, but when they did, it almost invariably featured the dynamic Derrick Williams.
D-Will declined his $5 million player option, but New York could try to bring him back depending on how much it needs his springy vertical. The coaching staff did help him improve his rebounding and three-point shooting, and he could continue to develop his defense.
If not Williams, the Knicks' transition game could use another flashy forward. The Wizards' Garrett Temple wasn't rock-solid consistent last season, but he did electrify fans on many occasions with outstanding scoring performances—blistering fast-break buckets, hard drives down the lane and swishing threes.
If the Wiz don't try to hold him, Temple could provide New York with the occasional injection of offensive energy that Williams used to provide, and probably for less cash.
Lance Thomas (Re-sign)
Re-signing Lance Thomas is a no-brainer.
The only players whose on-court presence made a more positive impact on the Knicks' plus-minus last season were Carmelo Anthony and Kristaps Porzingis. Thomas simply knows how to play ball. He also gussied up his stat sheet a bit last season, shooting 44.2 percent from the field.
Time To Get To Work
It's unlikely that New York will find a way to sign all these players, but the team could (and should) make a run at most of them.
So there's your shopping list, Knicks front office. Jot it down on a piece of scratch paper and cram it in your pocket.
It's time to fill out this roster.
All stats are from NBA.com/stats. Follow Sara Peters on Twitter @3FromThe7.
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