NBA Free Agents 2011: Would NY Knicks Be Better Off Avoiding Superstar Signings?

Friday, Donnie Walsh was unexpectedly ousted from his post as Knicks president of basketball operations. With the uncertainty that lies ahead, God only knows what the future holds for a franchise that suddenly seems in no better predicament than it was a year ago—before King James ushered in an era where the word “decision” took on a whole new meaning and Amar’e Stoudemire hadn’t yet chosen the Big Apple over the Arizona desert.

Will Walsh’s stand-in continue to build upon the positive groundwork he laid, or will his heir merely be a pawn in owner James Dolan’s chess match?

While the real reason behind Walsh’s resignation hasn’t leaked to the media, certainly his disdain for outside interference and need for autonomy factored into it. Dolan just couldn’t cut ties with his BFF Isiah Thomas or promise he wouldn’t undermine Walsh once again to land another Carmelo Anthony.

Until the new collective bargaining agreement has been established, it’s unclear whether New York will even be allowed to spend their extra cash on another big name. In the meantime, aside from ordaining a permanent replacement for Walsh, the Knicks needn’t worry about how they’re going to sign Chris Paul or Dwight Howard.

That time will come soon enough, but until then, there’s no sense in planning the roster around a major free-agent acquisition when the team already possesses enough building blocks to birth a dynasty.

If we rewind four months, way before the Denver Nuggets forced the Knicks’ hand, Walsh had put together a respectable starting five with the likes of Raymond Felton at the point, Landry Fields and Danilo Gallinari on the wings and Stoudemire and Timofey Mozgov down low.

He knew that if there was any legitimacy to all the hearsay, Anthony had every intention of inking a max contract extension with the Knicks—not the New Jersey Nets or anybody else looking for a nitrous oxide boost to carry them through the postseason. With this in mind, Walsh proposed rising star Wilson Chandler, Eddy Curry and his enormous expiring contract and some smaller unspecified pieces.

Then, 3 p.m. on Feb. 24 approached, and no deal was on the horizon. Dolan panicked as dollar signs flashed before his eyes. Nabbing a player of Anthony’s stature would do wonders for marketing; merchandise bearing Anthony’s likeness would be a hot commodity, and ticket prices at the Garden would shoot through the roof.

Disinterested in losing out on this cash cow, Dolan intervened and began direct negotiations with Nuggets owner Stan Kroenke. While Walsh had a strategy, Dolan threw all logic out the window. No dummy, Kroenke smelled Dolan’s desperation and pounced on his vulnerability.

Ultimately, Dolan’s involvement meant not only parting with Chandler and Curry but also Felton, Gallinari and a budding Mosgov. The team that was coming into its own in the Eastern Conference was torn to shreds and forced to regroup during the remaining third of the season—and still be ready for the playoffs.

The point is a team that would’ve fielded a lineup including Felton, Fields, Anthony, Stoudemire and Mozgov, with Gallinari and Toney Douglas off the bench, currently has numerous holes to be plugged. Since Felton was playing at an All-Star level, had it been up to Walsh, Paul may never even have been part of the long-term solution.

With immediate gaps that must be filled at the center and backup point guard positions, as well as some additional needs in the reserve department, a fascinating summer lies ahead. If done correctly, these shortcomings can be addressed without going overboard.

Following Walsh’s blueprint of surrounding two elite players with reliable young talent, the Knicks have a chance to be competitive in the immediate future and for years to come. It’s just a question of discovering which players will complete the puzzle at a reduced rate.

Taking the conservative route will enable New York to get more bang for the buck, essentially receiving a greater return on investment by obtaining multiple rising stars rather than putting all their eggs in one basket with an All-NBA caliber player.

By pursuing a bargain-priced, above-average point guard such as Ramon Sessions, Aaron Brooks or J.J. Barea, the Knicks can use the final year on Chauncey Billups’ contract to groom one of them from a backup into the starter the following year. Like Paul, each of these players is 26 years old, but since none of them has been given the opportunity to become a full-time starter, they all have upside.

Chasing a young athletic center, in lieu of Dwight Howard, along the lines of a DeAndre Jordan kills two birds with one stone; the Knicks get a durable big man who can rebound and block shots but won’t clog the middle on the offensive end, leaving room for Stoudemire and Anthony to operate in the post. They also save stacks upon stacks of crisp, dead presidents.

An intrinsic bit of information which people tend to overlook is, thus far, there has typically been one reserved and one outspoken member of each assembled “Big Three.” The Boston Celtics’ Ray Allen and Miami Heat’s Chris Bosh are the quiet ones, while Kevin Garnett and LeBron James are the media darlings. Paul Pierce and Dwyane Wade normally find a happy medium. Despite their differences in character, it all falls into place on the court like a well-oiled machine.

Adding a guy as vivacious as Dwight Howard to the Knicks would be unprecedented, especially considering Anthony and Stoudemire already have big enough egos to fill the room. While I’m not saying it can’t be done, I am insinuating that constructing a team with too many type-A personalities could be a recipe for disaster; a healthy balance is beneficial to team chemistry.

If the Knicks land a quality center and backup point guard, bolster the bench with a couple well-rounded role players, add a strong defensive veteran presence (e.g. Shane Battier) and make the 17th pick in the draft a timely one, the team will be right where they want to be. Combine this with a healthy Chauncey Billups, and there’s no doubt New York can compete with the best the East has to offer.

While it’s a lot easier said than done, if each of these transactions comes to fruition and the Knicks still have a disappointing season, then signing a Chris Paul or Dwight Howard might be a foregone conclusion. But, let’s not cross that path until we must and pray that Dolan doesn’t make another impulsive decision that sets the organization back five to 10 years.

Donnie Walsh, where are you when we need you most?