New York Knicks: 10 Fall Backs If The Anthony Trade Falls Through
Over the last several seasons, the New York Knicks have always been in the press. First, it was Isiah Thomas's falling out with Larry Brown. Then, it was Isiah running the team into the ground (on and off the court) and subsequently being fired. Shortly after that, New York got caught up in LeBron James fever and when that boiled over, it turned into Carmelo Anthony fever.
This season, Anthony turned heads when he said he would sign the three-year, $65 million extension the Denver Nuggets offered him, but only if he was traded to the Knicks. The fever has reached its boiling point since then.
But, what if the young forward suddenly changes his mind? Suppose the deal with the New Jersey Nets is back on? What are the Knicks to do? Here are 10 ideas for them.
No. 10: Use Draft Pick From The Anthony Randolph Trade to Take a Forward
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Throughout this saga, it has become common knowledge that the Nuggets won't give up Anthony unless they get a first-round pick in return. If the Knicks were to trade for said draft pick, the man they would give up to get it would be Anthony Randolph.
In the event that the Anthony deal falls through and the Knicks are left with a draft pick, I can only offer one piece of advice to the front office. KEEP IT!!!
There's no telling where the Knicks will end up in the draft order if they get a first-round pick from another team. Either way, there's got to be at least one solid forward the team could draft and mold into a Carmelo-like player. The days of Isiah Thomas and Scott Layden are over. Time to utilize the draft effectively.
No. 9: Re-Sign Wilson Chandler
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After being drafted late in the first round of the 2007 NBA Draft, Wilson Chandler has slowly gotten better and better with each season. He fits perfectly into Mike D'Antoni's system and is just as effective on defense as he is on offense.
Still, there's one problem. Chandler is a restricted free agent at the end of this season. Given his improved play, there's no doubt that teams will be interested in him.
However, Chandler has stated time and time again that he wants to remain in New York. With a little flexibility under the salary cap, don't be shocked if Donnie Walsh gives him his money.
No. 8: Trade Danilo Gallinari and Ronny Turiaf For Monta Ellis
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The Knicks have a long history of signing players to bad contracts as well as taking on bad contracts, so why not continue that trend in trading for Monta Ellis?
To land the young shooter, the Knicks would almost definitely need to include star shooter Danilo Gallinari in the deal. Sure, no problem. Ellis essentially is Gallinari, just without the height. Plus, he does a better job driving to the basket.
On Golden State's end, this is a great trade. They're getting rid of an unwanted contract in Ellis's and gaining a soon-to-be-expired one in Gallinari's. That being said, they should consider this trade.
No. 6: Make Timofey Mozgov The Starting Center
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All season long, Donnie Walsh has said how on top of getting Carmelo Anthony, he wants a true center so that Amar'e Stoudemire can go back to his natural power forward position. Why make a trade when he already has a good young center in Russian phenom Timofey Mozgov?
Mozgov has started nine games this season (playing in 27), putting up low averages of 3.1 points and 2.4 rebounds. Recently, in a game where the Knicks were shorthanded, he showed the fans what he could do.
In 40 minutes, the 7-foot-1 Russian scored 23 points (9-15 FG) and pulled down 14 rebounds. And that was off the bench!
That being said, who needs Carmelo Anthony when there's a player who can do that? Give Mozgov the chance to play everyday and move Stoudemire back to the No. 4 spot, and the Knicks have one heck of a frontcourt.
No. 5: Get a New Coach
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Now, as big a Mike D'Antoni fan I am, I'm not one to call him an elite coach. Throughout his career, he has coached some teams that had a lot of talent, but always came up short against elite defensive squads.
Since coming to New York, Coach D has been a big hit. With the players he has this year, the Knicks are expected to make the playoffs for the first time in nearly a decade. With Carmelo Anthony, there's no telling how far the team can go.
Yet, without him, just how talented are they? Simply put, the Knicks cannot rely solely on Amar'e Stoudemire to carry them to the playoffs. They need another alpha-dog to pair him with. Otherwise, the Knicks are destined to forever be a mid-level playoff team.
Thus, if the Anthony saga doesn't pan out in New York's favor, perhaps it'd be time to find someone other than D'Antoni to coach the team. He's a fine coach, but how much can he do with what he has? Maybe bringing Larry Brown back would be a good idea. OK...that was a little too much.
Moving on...
No. 4: Pursue Caron Butler
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If there's one player that could be a great fit in a Knicks uniform, it's Caron Butler. He is currently out for the season with a knee injury, but it is also his contract year. Thus, why not?
He has spent the past season and a half playing for the Dallas Mavericks, averaging about 15 points a game and five or six rebounds. The Mavs' system is one that features role players/shooters and whose star is an elite big man. Sound familiar?
If his knee rehab goes well and if they can make an offer surpassing that of Dallas, there's no reason the Knicks shouldn't give Butler a chance. He has the potential to be a great fit in D'Antoni's system.
No. 3: Make a Play For Jason Richardson
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Jason Richardson is a good-sized guard who also plays decent defense. His offense is well-rounded and he is intelligent on the court. What's not to like?
The former Michigan State Spartan is also a free agent at the end of the season and given his familiarity with the Phoenix system (Alvin Gentry more or less runs the same offense as Mike D'Antoni), the Knicks could be a perfect fit for him.
He drives to the basket well, is a decent rebounder and has an absolutely deadly shot from beyond the arc. Long story short, he could be a key addition to a Knicks offense hurting from not landing Carmelo Anthony.
No. 2: Sign Chris Paul After the 2011-2012 Season
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This offseason, the big name free agent is Carmelo Anthony. Next offseason, it will be New Orleans Hornets point guard Chris Paul.
For those who read the article I wrote about Anthony back in December, you'll remember that I mentioned the possibility of the Knicks signing Chris Paul. To this day, I think Paul is one the team must pursue if capable.
Basically, Chris Paul is the best point guard in the NBA. He's a great shooter, knows how to share the ball, and plays amazing defense. Plus, when trade rumors were swirling around his name last season, he said one of the few teams to whom he would approve a trade was the New York Knicks!
In the event that Anthony signs elsewhere, it won't hurt the Knicks to wait another season to pursue Paul. By that point, Danilo Gallinari and Raymond Felton's contracts will be off of the books and the team will have some salary cap flexibility. What's the harm in using it to land Chris Paul?
No 1: Sign Carmelo Anthony As a Free Agent
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Readers are probably scratching their heads now. Isn't this article about the 10 options the Knicks should consider if the Carmelo Anthony trade doesn't happen? Yes, it is. But, that doesn't mean that they can't sign him as a free agent this offseason!
The Knicks have money, and a lot of it. So, if need be, they can use it to sign Anthony to a maximum-level contract at the end of the season. Honestly, it's a good approach.
Anthony has said repeatedly how much he would love to play in New york, calling it "the ultimate dream," so why would he go back on that? The only other teams that could considerably make a play for him are the Chicago Bulls and New Jersey Nets.
Had he wanted to go to the Nets, he would have approved a trade there already. As appealing a team as the Bulls are, they probably don't have the funds needed to woo Anthony. There's so much money tied up in Carlos Boozer and Joakim Noah (not to forget Derek Rose), and to get Anthony would mean trading the latter's heavy contract, which isn't going to happen.
So, fans, keep your anticipation level high. Before you all know it, chances are that 'Melo will in fact be a New York Knick.
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