Knicks Rumors: Analyzing Buzz on George Hill, Jeff Teague and More
The hits just keep coming with the New York Knicks before free agency opens on Friday.
Drama surrounding now former-president Phil Jackson, announced by the Knicks on Wednesday, led to rampant speculation on the futures of guys like Kristaps Porzingis and Carmelo Anthony.
One change doesn't have the Knicks out of the woods yet.
Funnily enough, the franchise doesn't need to simply smooth things over with superstars. It needs to upgrade the roster in important areas and fill spots within the front office—the latter of which Kentucky head coach John Calipari reached out about on Thursday, according to ESPN.com's Ian Begley.
So, yes, the Knicks are one of the league's most chaotic teams right now. Here's the latest.
Rose Return?
One doesn't have to think too hard before coming to the conclusion point guard is the biggest need on New York's current roster.
Yes, the team drafted the high-upside Frank Ntilikina, but we're talking about an 18-year-old point who can't handle the workload alone. Not only could it hurt his development, it could stifle guys like Porzingis.
The idea of bringing back Derrick Rose, though, is likely one of the last things to come to mind.
Alas, the Knicks have an interest if the price is right, according to ESPN.com's Ian Begley: "Sources say the Knicks have discussed several different scenarios with regard to filling the void at point guard—both in free agency and via trade. The Knicks aren't interested in paying large salaries for any free agent, which may be a sticking point in potential discussions with Rose and his agent, B.J. Armstrong."
Rose, 28, appeared in 64 games last year and averaged 18.0 points and 4.4 assists while being a predictably odd fit. New York's system over the past few years has required a pass-first point, so Rose's arrival in the first place seemed strange.
Alas, with Jackson gone the Knicks might be open to different approaches. Rose could be more effective in a different system, provided his body holds up. If this is the way the new folks in charge want to go, they just have to hope they aren't outbid by another team seeking a backup point.
Teague, Backup Plan A
It's apparent the Knicks don't want to spend a ton of cash at the point considering they have a prospect who they want to feed minutes in the hope he's a future star.
As such, the team targeting a mid-tier free agent like Jeff Teague makes sense. He gets "Plan A" classification above because he has interest in joining the Knicks.
Here's Begley: "With Phil Jackson out and the triangle de-emphasized, the Knicks, under general manager Steve Mills, have interest in free-agent point guard Jeff Teague, league sources told ESPN. League sources say the interest in Teague is mutual. The Knicks, under Mills, had talked to the Hawks about trading for Teague two years ago."
Fans might not want to hear this, but with the recent drama surrounding the Knicks, it's going to be hard to find free agents who share a mutual interest. Those wounds don't evaporate overnight regardless of staff changes.
Teague, at least, is quite a way for the Knicks to start the healing process. He's 29 years old and averaged 15.3 points and 7.8 assists per game a year ago on an average of 32.4 minutes.
In fact, a Teague-Courtney Lee duo would be quite the boon for the Knicks independent of what happens with Carmelo. Free of certain system restrictions, Teague would help guys like Porzingis, not hinder them.
But, even if interest might be mutual, it's going to take some legwork for the Knicks to nail down a name like Teague on the market.
Hill, Backup Plan B
If Rose or Teague plans fall through, the Knicks might look to target someone such as George Hill.
Hill might be the priciest of the three options mentioned here, but it's not hard to see why.
Though he's 31 years old, Hill exploded with the Utah Jazz last year, averaging 16.9 points and 4.2 assists per game while shooting 47.7 percent from the floor alongside Gordon Hayward and Rudy Gobert.
The outburst has New York's attention, according to Begley:
Though it isn't overly talked about yet, Hill is one of the more notable flight risks in free agency this year. Utah doesn't have the craziest cap space to work with and if Hayward bolts in free agency, it'd be odd for him to want to come back.
Also contributing here is the fact Hill seems to covet a reunion with the San Antonio Spurs, according to Jabari Young of the Express News.
While pricey, Hill might be the best option for the Knicks if they offer him a deal in the three-year range. He's one of the better two-way guards in the league and versatile enough to fit in whatever approach the Knicks decide to take next year.
Like the others, nothing will come easy for the Knicks. But it's clear the options are there at least.
All stats and info via ESPN.com unless otherwise specified.
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