NBA Free Agents 2011: Who Do New York Knicks Pursue Now After Draft?

Now that the NBA draft is behind us, it appears as if the Knicks’ acquisitions of Iman Shumpert and Josh Harrellson will have little to no bearing on New York’s offseason activity.

Depending on who you listen to, both players are deemed to be “projects,” and Harrellson has an even longer road to travel. However, outgoing president Donnie Walsh seems to think Shumpert will break into next year’s rotation purely based on athleticism and defensive prowess.

Even so, there are certain positions lacking the depth necessary to be a successful playoff team. And as the Miami Heat demonstrated, no matter how spectacular your starters are, you cannot win a championship without a respectable bench.

New York still is in desperate need of a starting center, a power forward to back up Amar’e Stoudemire, a true point guard to give Billups a rest, a defensive specialist or two and a reserve capable of providing instant offense with the second unit.

While that is a daunting task for interim general manager Glen Grunwald, there is plenty of available talent to choose from.

Since the Knicks do not have trade bait to barter with, they’ll likely be forced to target members of this summer’s free agent class.

The following players are all on the market, and the majority of them can be had for a reasonable price. Only three of them are restricted free agents, meaning their current teams have the option to match an offer in order to retain their rights.

Note: Restricted free agents are marked by an asterisk (*).

DeAndre Jordan – C*

I’ve been harping on this one for a while, and I’m still sold on DeAndre Jordan. Jordan is exactly what the Knicks are looking for in a center. He’s 6’11” and 250 pounds, but even more impressive is his length.

With an unheard of 7’6” wingspan, Jordan covers a lot of space. Reaching up with both feet flat on the ground, he’s only six inches from touching the rim.

Jordan has never been a full-time starter with Chris Kaman in the picture, but when he gets his opportunities, he takes complete advantage. This past season, one in which Kaman was frequently sidelined, Jordan averaged 7.1 points on 69 percent field goals, 7.2 rebounds and 1.8 blocks in less than 26 minutes per game.

That may not sound like much, but over 36 minutes, it’s equivalent to 10 points, 10.1 boards and 2.5 blocks. He also accomplished this while sharing the post with some dude named Blake.

The Los Angeles Clippers recently made Jordan a qualifying offer of a little more than $1 million. Surely, the Knicks can find the money to make a counteroffer and add this freakishly nimble big man to assume the starting center role.

Besides, he’ll only be 23.

Joel Przybilla – C

Like so many Portland Trailblazers, Joel Przybilla was bitten by the injury bug. After playing a full 82-game season, Przybilla tore his right patella tendon while starting in place of Greg Oden in December 2009.

In a horrific stroke of bad luck, Przybilla slipped in the shower in March 2010 and tore the same patella tendon that he had been rehabbing for more than two months.

By the start of the 2010-11 campaign, Portland had signed Marcus Camby, and Przybilla was reduced to a reserve once again. Eventually, he was traded to the Charlotte Bobcats at the deadline, but he only appeared in five games the rest of the season due to ankle issues.

At 31, you have to wonder if Przybilla can battle back from the pain. But, at 7’1” and 260 pounds, he’s worth taking a chance on when healthy.

Like DeAndre Jordan, Przybilla has never been a starter for an entire year but has made the most of his playing time. He had his best season just two years ago when he averaged 5.5 points and 8.7 rebounds to go along with 1.2 blocks.

The Knicks are in need of a center that can rebound and play defense, both of which Przybilla specializes in. It’s impractical for Przybilla to demand a salary anywhere in the neighborhood of the $7.4 million he received last season. At this juncture, New York should be able to buy low and receive a higher value in return.

Przybilla averages 1.5 blocks in only 20 minutes per game for his career.

Carl Landry – PF

At 6’9” and 248 pounds, Carl Landry is a model backup for power forward Amar’e Stoudemire. He won’t give you more than a block or steal on any given night, but he’s a proven scorer who also grabs his share of rebounds.

Landry has been floating around the league, playing for three different teams over the past two seasons. But, he’s produced wherever he’s been whether starting or coming off the bench.

In fact, Landry averaged 16.8 points and 5.9 rebounds in a tad less than 30 minutes per game during the 2009-10 season. Due to Landry’s ability to score and rebound, Stoudemire would be able to rest, but the production down low would not subside.

Filling in for the injured David West during the first round of the playoffs against the Los Angeles Lakers, Landry averaged 15.8 points and 5 boards going head-to-head with Pau Gasol and Lamar Odom.

Landry earned a $3 million salary last year, so he remains a relative bargain at 27 years old.

Troy Murphy – PF

Splitting time between the New Jersey Nets and Boston Celtics, power forward Troy Murphy found himself riding the pine more often than not.

For Murphy, it must feel like ages ago, but it was during his last season starting for the Indiana Pacers in 2009-10 that he averaged 14.6 points, 10.2 rebounds and a steal per outing. Not only was he dominant in the paint, but he also shot 38 percent from beyond the arc on almost five three-point attempts per game.

With his accuracy from deep, Murphy would add a dimension to the Knicks power forward spot that Amar’e Stoudemire doesn’t offer. In that sense, subbing in Murphy would be a nice change of pace, and in an offense like Mike D’Antoni’s, it’s always a bonus to have a sharp-shooting big man on the floor.

You can bet after what he went through this past season, playing a career low 13 minutes per game, Murphy won’t fuss over his asking price. He may be 31, but considering the way his stock has plummeted far below his $12.3 million 2010-11 wage, he’s worth the gamble.

For a guy who has posted averages of double-digit points and rebounds on five occasions during his nine-year career, the reward could be much higher than the risk. Murphy is the ideal sleeper.

J.J. Barea – PG

J.J. Barea has always been a solid backup to Jason Kidd, but it’s his business off the court that has been making headlines; for those of you who’ve just crawled out from underneath a rock, Barea is dating 2006 Miss Universe Zuleyka Rivera.

It was his contributions to the Dallas Mavericks’ title run that garnered the attention of basketball fans for the right reasons.

Listed at an even 6’, although he’s obviously shorter, Barea plays fearlessly in a land of giants. Yes, he can nail the three, but it’s his knack for driving the lane and sinking his patented floaters over opponents as large as trees that’s even more impressive.

Coming off career highs in points (9.5) and assists (3.9) in a little more than 20 minutes per game, Barea is clearly capable of some serious stats for a man of his stature.

Realizing Barea stands to earn substantially more than last year’s $1.8 million with a renegotiated contract, the Mavs—who have the NBA’s highest payroll—may be willing to cut ties.

Barea has the talent to be a starting point guard, and the Knicks could groom him as such during the single season Chauncey Billups has remaining on his deal. You never know. If coach D’Antoni’s still around two years from now, he could mold Barea into the second-coming of Steve Nash.

Nash didn’t take off until his fifth season, and Barea will be entering his fifth at only 27 years of age. It might be worthwhile to see if lightning strikes twice.

Wilson Chandler – SF*

Although he plays the same position as Carmelo Anthony, a Wilson Chandler return to New York would be welcomed by all.

During his three-and-a-half year run as a Knick, Chandler was “Mr. Reliable.” Game after game, we’d become accustomed to his hard work on both ends of the floor with hardly a peep out of him in the process.

It didn’t matter if Chandler started or entered the game as a sub. He was always good for around 15 points, 5 rebounds, a steal and a block.

When the Anthony trade talks really started to pick up steam, it was evident Chandler was becoming apprehensive. He had a good thing going in blue and orange and knew the end could be near.

After he joined the Denver Nuggets, Chandler didn’t have the stability he’d come to expect in New York, and he never seemed comfortable. He got less burn under George Karl, and his production took a hit as well.

Chandler would have no reservations revisiting the Big Apple unless he’s guaranteed a starting job in Denver. Since Danilo Gallinari, who also plays small forward, is signed through 2011-12, the best case scenario next season would be for Chandler to serve as sixth man.

Certainly, he’d prefer to be one of the first off the bench for the Knicks as opposed to staying in Denver. With a $3 million qualifying offer already on the table for next season, New York wouldn’t have to part with an arm and a leg to rescue Chandler from the Rockies.

Taking into account Ronny Turiaf is due to be paid $1.3 million more than Denver’s offer to Chandler, getting Chandler back would be quite a steal.

Shane Battier – SF

Shane Battier may be pushing 33, but he’s one of the NBA’s most admirable ambassadors on and off the court. If you were to survey every general manager across the league, they’d tell you their team could use someone like Battier.

Right now, Chauncey Billups offers this sort of guidance and leadership to his teammates, but sometimes one guy can’t shoulder that burden. The addition of Battier would provide the kind of calming veteran presence that championship-caliber teams require.

He’s not too shabby on the hardwood either.

Battier will never be the go-to guy, but like Bruce Bowen was to the San Antonio Spurs dynasty, he’ll be a pest to your finest scorer on the defensive side and knock down a clutch three on the other end.

The Memphis Grizzlies brought Battier over at the trade deadline, and the team that was struggling merely to reach the playoffs finished the regular season 14-9, knocked off the top-seeded Spurs in the first round and went the distance with the Oklahoma City Thunder before falling in seven games.

Battier could do for the Knicks what he did for a young, inexperienced franchise in Memphis. His asking price, which might be in the realm of $7 million, may very well be worth every penny—even if he has to take a back seat to Carmelo Anthony.

Grant Hill – SF

One of the league’s elder statesmen, Grant Hill turns 39 in three months, but he’s shown no indication of coming to a halt. Still effective on the court, he may have a greater impact in the locker room.

Similar to Shane Battier, Hill is a level-headed veteran who’s seen it all throughout his 15-year professional career. He’s one of the nicest players around and could act as a mentor to New York’s young superstars—Carmelo Anthony and Amar’e Stoudemire—considering he too was once one of the league’s premier figureheads.

Along with the seven years of postseason experience he carries, Hill is also familiar with Mike D’Antoni; D’Antoni coached Hill during his final season with the Phoenix Suns, so he understands the system the coach favors.

By this stage of his career, Hill doesn’t want to jeopardize his health with another major injury, so being relegated to a reserve role is probably acceptable. Keeping in mind Hill has never advanced beyond the conference finals, and his current team is rebuilding, he might be open to joining a roster with an abundance of potential such as the Knicks.

Hill banked $3.3 million last year, but he’d likely agree to a reduced rate if it means extending his career with a competitive team.

Andrei Kirilenko – SF/PF

Donnie Walsh passed on Florida State’s Chris Singleton, so why not obtain a former All-Star with an identical body type and skill set in Andrei Kirilenko?

Kirilenko has faded in past seasons due to injury, but his time on the floor has still been efficient.

Having previously led the league in blocks at 3.3 per game, Kirilenko, who turns 31 next February, is no longer capable of posting stats like this. However, he still has averaged 1.4 steals and 2 blocks per game over his nine-year tenure with the Utah Jazz.

Last season, Kirilenko put up 1.3 steals and 1.2 blocks per game despite missing 18 games. Of the current Knicks roster, only Amar’e Stoudemire fared better with 1.9 blocks per contest.

Due to a considerable amount of wear and tear to his slender frame, Kirilenko may be past his prime, but he’s evidently capable of becoming an asset to the New York defense. Sporting a career scoring average of 12.4 points, Kirilenko is multifaceted. He’s also versatile enough to fill in at either forward position.

Earning $17.8 million on the final year of his arrangement with Utah, Kirilenko is disgustingly overcompensated and likely understands he’ll never see a payday in that ballpark again. The Jazz will undoubtedly attempt to unload him.

While it will be difficult to talk him down, if no other teams bite, the Knicks may be able to nab Kirilenko somewhere in the $5-8 million range.

Thaddeus Young – SF/PF*

New York needs a player that can provide a quick strike off the bench in addition to Toney Douglas—someone who preferably plays a position other than guard. Thaddeus Young could supply this spark.

This past season, Young averaged 12.7 points per game in just 26 minutes for the Philadelphia 76ers. That’s down from 13.8 and 15.3 the previous two years, but as his minutes decline, his scoring correlates accordingly.

Considering the 76ers have another young talented forward in Marreese Speights, and Andres Nocioni is signed through 2012, Philadelphia may decide Young and his $4 million qualifying offer are expendable.

If the Knicks are willing to invest that much in a gifted scorer, a decent rebounder and a player with active hands who averages 1.2 steals for his career, then the 76ers may gladly dump him.

Comparable to Carl Landry’s proposed role in relation to Amar’e Stoudemire, Young could relieve Carmelo Anthony of his duties, and coach D’Antoni wouldn’t have to worry that his replacement is an offensive liability.