NBA Free Agency 2011: 10 Players the New York Knicks Should Avoid
After 10 years of futility, Knicks fans are tired of hearing a certain "P" word.
So don't you dare say it.
What word?
Patience.
As far as most Knicks fans are concerned, they have been patient for a very long time. Now, with Carmelo Anthony and Amar'e Stoudemire, a full training camp and the team's first playoff appearance in 10 years, there are no more excuses.
Now, Knicks fans have another "P" word on their minds.
(No, not playoffs—been there, done that.)
Progress.
And rightfully so.
After the Knicks completed their President's Day trade for Carmelo Anthony and Chauncey Billups, the attention immediately focused on who the Knicks should target via free agency to transform their dynamic duo that celebrates clinching a playoff victory to one that has a legit chance to win the Eastern Conference.
That is, of course, assuming that there is a 2011-2012 NBA season. You see, there is still all this talk of a lockout. So keep in mind, the caveat here is that this piece is written under the assumption that the new CBA will be the same as the current one—or at least substantially similar.
Though that is highly unlikely, it's the best we can do since nobody knows whether a hard cap, elimination of salary exceptions and/or restrictions on free agent movement will ultimately find their way into the NBA's next CBA.
Regardless, right or wrong, realistic or not, Knicks fans will not be happy with anything less than 50 wins and a first-round victory the next time—whenever that is—we have an NBA season.
In other words...progress.
Everyone has been talking about which free agents the Knicks should target. But here are 10 that they would probably be wise to avoid.
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No. 10: Chuck Hayes
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What's interesting about Chuck Hayes (aside from the fact that most casual fans have never heard of him) is that he is a rarity in today's NBA. Hayes stands at 6'6" tall but is widely regarded as one of the best post defenders in the entire NBA.
This past season, he averaged about eight rebounds per game in only 28 minutes of action. That's impressive given his minuscule stature. It's even more impressive when you consider that his 13.7 rebounds per 48 minutes is significantly better than Amar'e Stoudemire's 10.6.
The problem? Chuck Hayes is woefully inept offensively, and he is not a legitimate threat to block shots.
Although he could probably help the Knicks shore up their defense, he is unlikely to be a difference maker by himself.
Coming in at No. 10 means that Hayes might be a good pickup for the Knicks, but NOT as a legitimate option to start.
No. 9: Leon Powe
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Leon Powe has a reputation for being a good a teammate and a hard worker. He took over Game 2 of the 2008 NBA Finals, where he scored 21 points in 15 minutes of action against the Los Angeles Lakers and helped the Celtics to a 2-0 lead.
Unfortunately for him, the next season he tore his ACL, and his career hasn't been the same.
After a brief and uneventful stint in Cleveland, Powe ended this season as a member of the Memphis Grizzlies. Again, Powe couldn't stay on the court during 2010-2011, where he averaged a career-low nine minutes per game.
Although Powe—if healthy—could provide the Knicks with some much-needed toughness on the interior, there is no reason to believe that he will be able to regain the form we saw years ago, when he was battling Kendrick Perkins in practice for the right to start alongside Paul Pierce, Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett.
No. 8: Vladimir Radmanovic
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Vladimir Radmanovic is an interesting case. In his early years in Seattle, he seemed to have a lot of promise, and he excelled playing for both the Lakers and the Clippers.
He has great size—standing 6'10"—and has always been renowned for his prowess from behind the arc. Because the Knicks are looking to maximize the return on any investment they make, a player like Vladimir Radmanovic (and Michael Redd, for that matter) is exactly the type of guy they would go after.
Unfortunately, it's 2011, not 2006.
Since separating his shoulder during the 2007 NBA All-Star Weekend in a snowboarding accident, Radmanovic hasn't been the same player. While he still might be able to contribute in the right situation, he shouldn't be one of the Knicks' main targets.
At best, Radmanovic should be pursued as a last resort. He won't play defense, but he can shoot from distance—he converted 40 percent of his attempts from behind the arc in 2010-2011.
But at this point, the Knicks need more well-rounded players. Playing one-dimensional specialists is something that only elite teams can do, in spurts.
The Knicks aren't there yet and would be wiser to get Amar'e Stoudemire to put the full-court press on Grant Hill—a real difference maker.
No. 7: Nenad Krstic
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Unfortunately, injuries robbed Nenad Krstic of what looked to be a very promising career. After falling short this year, his career with the Celtics might be over.
He is the type of center that Mike D'Antoni would like to have on the floor with Amar'e Stoudemire. That's mainly because Krstic has a decent touch out to about 15 feet and would allow the Knicks to space the floor so that Amar'e and Carmelo have space to operate.
But that's the problem.
The Knicks need an interior European bruiser cut from the mold of Marcin Gortat, not a sweet-shooting center cut from the mold of Mehmet Okur (although Mehmet's interior defense and rebounding are underrated).
Krstic would provide the Knicks with some length, but he would not help to address their biggest need of adding an enforcer and a rebounding presence.
And who knows? Maybe the Celtics will retain Krstic. But even if they don't, unless he's willing to come to New York for the veteran's minimum salary and play spot minutes off the bench behind a big that can provide what the Knicks so desperately lack, they would be wise to stay away.
No. 6: Shannon Brown
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Last summer, the Knicks flirted with Shannon Brown before he decided to return to the Los Angeles Lakers. He holds a player option to terminate his $2.4M salary next season and become a free agent.
The sun might be setting on the Lakers' dynasty, and Brown may elect to re-initiate the discussions of a $4M per year salary with the Knicks since that's what they offered him last summer.
After witnessing Landry Fields' struggles in the second half of last season, many believe that the Knicks need an upgrade at their starting shooting guard spot. While that might be true, Brown's inconsistent play and "sparkability" off the bench don't seem to address the Knicks' needs. He'd be a great finisher on the break and a good sixth man—but neither of those are worth the cost.
The role he has in Los Angeles is perfect for him. Coming to NY, however, he'd be expected to provide a lot more. New Yorkers have seen this movie before...and New Yorkers should definitely remember how they usually end.
No. 5: Jared Jeffries
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Jared Jeffries has been the source of many a Knick fan's frustrations this past season. No surprise.
Jeffries was handpicked by Mike D'Antoni as the Knicks' starting center after they bought out Corey Brewer and released Kelenna Azubuike back in February.
Although Jeffries is a useful player, he is woefully one-dimensional. His reputation as a "defensive stopper" is overblown, and at 6'11" he plays more like a shooting guard then he does a starting center. He simply cannot finish in the paint and only excels at drawing charges.
The Knicks do not have the luxury of playing one-dimensional players. Instead, they need to play guys who won't make mistakes, won't commit turnovers and won't be a handicap on either end of the floor.
Because Jeffries is woefully inept on the offensive end of the floor, the Knicks would be wise to either let him walk or retain him—at the veteran's minimum—only if they are unable to procure the services of any of the numerous options that would be an upgrade over Jeffries.
Instead, they would be wise to chase Jeff Foster. Even at 34, Foster is an active body and does a much better job of battling for position in the post and rebounding than Jared Jeffries. He is also a better finisher and would provide the team with some much-needed toughness.
...Looks like Amar'e Stoudemire might have to start working on his "charge drawing" skills.
No. 4: Wilson Chandler
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Chandler is coming off his best season as a professional and will be a restricted free agent this summer. Earlier reports suggested that Chandler was looking for between $8M and $10M per year, and that's why everyone was certain that he would inevitably be involved in any Carmelo Anthony trade.
Recently, reports have suggested that Chandler would be willing to take a "discount" to return to New York. However, being that he is (1) restricted and (2) looking for his first free agent contract, nothing short of the full mid-level deal (five years, $32M) would get it done for the Knicks.
Suggesting that adding Chandler is a mistake is more of a result of what the Knicks are missing than it is an indictment of his game. Chandler is one of the most versatile wing players in the league. This is evidenced by his shooting 35 percent from behind the arc while also grabbing six rebounds and blocking 1.3 shots per game.
The reason why the Knicks would be wise to stay away from Wilson Chandler is the result of a cost-benefit analysis. He would be a nice player off their bench and could provide some versatility at the SG position. However, he simply does not help to address the Knicks' biggest needs—perimeter defense and interior toughness.
Additionally, a five-year commitment to Chandler at an average of $6M per year would wipe out any chance of adding a premier free agent in the summer of 2012, when lesser-discussed free agents—Raymond Felton, Kirk Hinrich, Roy Hibbert, JaVale McGee and Chris Kaman—will be on the market.
No. 3: Shaquille O'Neal
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No need to spend a lot of time on this one.
The Knicks are in desperate need of some size, and yes, Shaquille would make them a larger team...but he simply cannot stay on the court.
After a pitiful showing in the 2010-2011 NBA season, the only thing a Shaquille O'Neal signing would mean for the Knicks and their fans would be another opportunity to walk away disappointed.
No worries, Knicks fans—rebuking any overtures from Shaquille O'Neal is so obvious that David Kahn would do it.
No. 2: Sebastian Telfair
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After watching Toney Douglas struggle to orchestrate the Knicks offense and create some easy opportunities for Carmelo Anthony and Amar'e Stoudemire, it's no longer a secret that the Knicks need some Chauncey Billups insurance.
Many Knicks fans want the Knicks to draft the best available point guard when they make their selection at No. 17 in next month's NBA draft.
Few have discussed trying to pick up veterans like Carlos Arroyo or Earl Boykins—two point guards who could certainly excel playing under Mike D'Antoni.
I've actually heard Sebastian Telfair's name mentioned more than the aforementioned two, and that's simply befuddling.
Telfair might be able to give the Knicks something, but his atrocious shooting and inability to get into the paint or finish at the basket caused his professional career to never come close to fulfilling expectations.
Bringing him to New York doesn't seem like a good idea. We all know how things worked out with his cousin.
Besides, Knicks fans already have a Brooklyn-born baller to root for.
No. 1: Samuel Dalembert
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The Knicks' season concluded on Easter Sunday after they were swept by the Boston Celtics. On Easter Monday—the next day—it came as no surprise to anyone that Samuel Dalembert's name emerged as the one that would be the target of the Knicks' offseason pursuit.
Although the Knicks desperately need some size and interior enforcement, the decision to invest what it would take to lure Dalembert to the Big Apple might not be worth the asking price. Unlike Chandler, Dalembert has let it be known that he does not have any interest in taking a pay cut to play for the Knicks.
Dalembert just celebrated his 30th birthday, and it's obvious that his best basketball is behind him. While it is true that he would provide the Knicks with an interior presence that they lack, anyone that watched him over the course of the season in Sacramento could clearly see that his athleticism and timing are beginning to slip.
Again, there is no doubt that he can help the Knicks, but it's unlikely that he would be able to provide much more than other veterans that would be available at a fraction of the cost—Jeff Foster, Etan Thomas and Nazr Mohammed.
Before the naysayers start chirping, ask yourselves this: Do you really want Samuel Dalembert on the books for $6M next summer when there is an abundance of talent available?
As much as Knicks fans might not want to hear it, transforming the New York Knicks into a contender is something that needs to be done carefully and meticulously. You don't simply throw a cap-clogging contract at the first guy that walks by that you think can help you—that's what Isiah Thomas did with Jerome James. Knicks fans paid for that for five long, excruciatingly painful years.
In the summer of 2012, here is the list of free agent centers would could help the Knicks: DeSagana Diop, Roy Hibbert, Chris Kaman, Marreese Speights, Robin Lopez, Jason Thompson, Mehmet Okur and JaVale McGee. Knowing that, would you really want to throw big money at Samuel Dalembert?
Before you answer that question, remember—every dollar counts.
And before you answer that question, seriously ask yourself if Dalembert would be a much bigger upgrade over some of the other 2011 free agent centers, who—mind you—would come at a fraction of the cost.
