Carmelo To New Jersey? 10 2011 Free Agents Who Should Be on the Knicks Radar

Carmelo to the Nets is almost a done deal, and if he signs an extension, Knicks fan will lose the all star scorer they wanted. Although he was the main attraction for the Knicks 2011 free agency their are other valuable pieces to make the Knicks contenders. This is my ranking for the 10 best free agents options for the Knicks if Carmelo is in New jersey.

10. T.J. Ford

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

ATLANTA, GA - DECEMBER 11: T.J. Ford #5 of the Indiana Pacers drives past Jeff Teague #0 of the Atlanta Hawks at Philips Arena on December 11, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or usi

T.J. Ford would be a solid back up for Raymond Felton. The Knicks are looking like a playoff team and Raymond Felton is playing a whole lot of minutes. The Knicks need a true point guard to back him up, and Ford will be great in D' Antoni's system and may average a ton of assist off the bench.

9.Greg Oden

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

CHICAGO - NOVEMBER 01: Greg Oden #52 of the Portland Trail Blazers watches from the bench as his teammates take on the Chicago Bulls at the United Center on November 1, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. The Bulls defeated the Trail Blazers 110-98. NOTE TO USER:

Greg Oden is a restricted free agent and its possible that Portland may be be prepared to allow Oden to walk.The often injured center still has a chance to be a franchise player. If Portland lets Oden go, it is possible the Knicks can take a chance on the center, but can Oden run in Mike D ' Antoni's system

8. Chris Douglas Roberts

Scott Boehm/Getty Images

MILWAUKEE, WI - JANUARY 07: Chris Douglas-Roberts #17 of the Milwaukee Bucks drives to the basket against the Miami Heat at the Bradley Center on January 7, 2011 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downlo

Chris Douglas Roberts is having a solid year for Milwaukee off the bench. Douglas Roberts is a good athlete and shown he can score when given a chance. Chris Douglas Roberts can be a valuable sixth man or a starter depending on what the Knicks do with Wilson Chandler

7. Jamal Crawford

Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images

OAKLAND, CA - FEBRUARY 21: Jamal Crawford #11 of the Atlanta Hawks looks on against the Golden State Warriors during an NBA game at Oracle Arena at Oracle Arena on February 21, 2010 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and a

Jamal Crawford is another good scorer and a great sixth man. He has already played in the Garden and would be a solid fit into the Knicks' system, but is he worth signing? He may bring a punch from the bench, but is he everything that Toney Douglas will be? Bringing him will be like having another Toney Douglas, but would that stunt Douglas's growth?

6.Jason Richardson

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

PHOENIX - DECEMBER 10: Jason Richardson #23 of the Phoenix Suns during the NBA game against the Portland Trail Blazers at US Airways Center on December 10, 2010 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Trail Blazers defeated the Suns 101-94. NOTE TO USER: User expressl

Jason Richardson averaged 18 points a game for his career. He is also a solid rebounding guard. If Richardson comes to the Knicks, he will bring explosiveness off the bench and can be a threat for six man of the year. Richardson can be the reliable Vet that this young Knicks team need. If the Knicks let Wilson Chandler go, Richardson can be a solid replacement starter until they find a better option

5.J.R. Smith

Doug Pensinger/Getty Images

DENVER - DECEMBER 28: J.R. Smith #5 of the Denver Nuggets takes a free throw against the Portland Trail Blazers at Pepsi Center on December 28, 2010 in Denver, Colorado. The Nuggets defeated the Blazers 95-77. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges an

J.R. Smith is a good scorer and can contribute to the Knicks as both a sixth man and a starter. I think he will probably be sixth man so the Knicks can allow Landry Fields to grow. Smith's style of play definitely fits the Knicks' current system. Smith has shown character issues in the past, and bringing him can damage the chemistry the Knicks have.

4. Kendrick Perkins

Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

LOS ANGELES, CA - JUNE 15: Kendrick Perkins #43 of the Boston Celtics looks on while taking on the Los Angeles Lakers in Game Six of the 2010 NBA Finals at Staples Center on June 15, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowle

Perkins is a solid center and will be hitting his prime soon.Perkins was a solid contributor to the Celtics' title run. He is physical, tough and gets rebounds. His presence at center will allow the Knicks to be a force when playing defense in the paint. It will also leave the Celtics without their big man, and that's a good enough reason to sign him.

3.Nene/ Tyson Chandler

Chris Graythen/Getty Images

NEW ORLEANS - APRIL 27: Nene #31 of the Denver Nuiggets fights for a rebound with Tyson Chandler #6 of the New Orleans Hornets in Game Four of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2009 NBA Playoffs at New Orleans Arena on April 27, 2009 in New

I think either one of these two will help makes the Knicks contenders. Both big men know how to play in fast-paced offense. They don't need the ball to be effective. Both of them are also having good seasons this year. I wouldn't mind either one with the current Knicks roster. Remember how great Chandler was playing when he was on the fast-paced Hornets a couple of years back? Just imagine what he can do on the Knicks

2.Marc Gasol

Jeff Gross/Getty Images

LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 02: Pau Gasol #16 of the Los Angeles Lakers is boxed out by Marc Gasol #33 of the Memphis Grizzlies during the second half at Staples Center on January 2, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. The Grizzlies defeated the Lakers 104-85

Marc Gasol is not having as good of a year as the last, but he is still young and has a world of potential. Last year he nearly averaged a double double. With all the success his brother is having, Marc must want to go to a team who can contend. If Gasol comes to the Knicks he can be that missing piece like his brother was for the Lakers.  Gasol is only going to be 26 next year and can be the center the Knicks have been missing since Patrick Ewing.

1. Wilson Chandler

Al Bello/Getty Images

NEW YORK - DECEMBER 22: Wilson Chandler #21 of the New York Knicks in action against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Madison Square Garden on December 22, 2010 in New York, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloadi

With career highs in nearly every category, it makes no sense for the Knicks to let him test free agency. He is what the Knicks need if Carmelo isn't coming to New York. Chandler is going to only be 24. No reason to let him go—he can be the future of the Knicks. Imagine if Wilson Chandler has yet begun to reach his prime. He may be as good or better than Carmelo one day.

Now before you say there weren't many big names on this list, just think about the cap room the Knicks have. Its possible that we can get even two or maybe three players on this list. The Knicks are going to be a team to be taken seriously in the next coming years, with or without Carmelo.