NBA Free Agents 2011: 8 Players Who Could Help NY Knicks Make Deep Playoff Run

As a Knicks fan, I have no issue saying that the team still needs a lot of work despite already having two top players in Amare Stoudemire and Carmelo Anthony.  Generally speaking, the team needs a top big man who can work the center position as well as a consistent shooter off of the bench.  The lack of these two components, as well as injuries, greatly contributed to the team being swept out of the first round of the playoffs by the Boston Celtics.

Luckily for the Knicks, this year's free agent market is full of both big men and bench shooters.  Given the amount of money the team has to work with, it should be easy to fill both holes.  Once said holes are taken care of, the Knicks could instantly find themselves back in playoff contention and among the Eastern Conference's elite.

Here are eight players who could help the Knicks reach that level and make a potentially long playoff run.

No. 8: DeAndre Jordan

Landing DeAndre Jordan could be a tough task for the Knicks, as he is a restricted free agent and the Los Angeles Clippers can match any offer made to him by any other team.  Given Clippers owner Donald Sterling's reputation for being cheap and not spending money on homegrown talent, I'm going to anticipate that Jordan will walk.

Last year, while Chris Kaman was out with an injury, the 6'11", 265 pound center established himself as a dominating presence in the middle and averaged 1.8 blocks per game to go with 7.2 rebounds.  Even though he only started 66 of 80 games played, he still manged 25.6 minutes per contest.

Given how current Knicks coach Mike D'Antoni employs a heavy offensive scheme, Jordan could potentially break out in that system.  In my opinion, he could average double figures in both points and rebounds in that type of system.

If the Clippers don't make an effort to bring him back, I'm anticipating that the Knicks front office will at least contact Jordan's agent.

No. 7: Jason Richardson

Say what you want about Jason Richardson being over the hill, past his prime, etc.  The man can still play.  Before being traded to the Magic last year (in a trade that I'm still trying to figure out), Richardson averaged 19.3 points on 41 percent three-point shooting for the Phoenix Suns.

Given how Suns coach Alvin Gentry was using a system very similar to D'Antoni's, Richardson could be a great fit in New York as either a starting shooting guard (sorry, Landry Fields) or the sixth man.  He's only 30 years old and won't come cheap, but his stats taking something of a dive in Orlando could help most GMs' causes in trying to get him for the right price.

No matter where he goes, I at least expect the Knicks to contact his agent.

No. 6: Marc Gasol

Here, we have another restricted free agent.  Marc Gasol had a breakout season for the Memphis Grizzlies last year and was easily one of their most valuable assets during the playoffs.  The 7'1", 265 pound center from Spain averaged 15 points and 11.2 rebounds as well as 2.2 blocks during the postseason.

As good as Gasol was, I just don't think that the Grizzlies have the money that will be necessary to bring him back.  They just signed forward Zach Randolph to a four-year deal worth $71 million and on top of that, star forward Rudy Gay will be back next year and is due $15 million.  Throw in the fact that Memphis is one of the smallest markets, and I don't see the team realistically having enough cash to bring back this talented center.

Seeing as how Gasol would be perfect for D'Antoni's system and is just what the Knicks need in the middle, I'm anticipating team management to extend him a good offer.

No. 5: Nene Hilario

If the Knicks managed to land Nene, it would be interesting for a couple of reasons.  First, his presence would give the Knicks a tough and physical big man who could be a spark on both ends of the court.  Second, it would give Nene a chance to play for the team that originally drafted him.

The big Brazilian was drafted by the Knicks in 2002 with the seventh overall pick and was immediately traded to the Denver Nuggets for Antonio McDyess.  To date, I consider this to be one of the worst trades in the history of the team as McDyess only ended up playing in 18 games for the Knicks over two years, a shell of the big man he once was.

Though I'm sure he'll re-sign with Denver, Nene should at least entertain an offer from the Knicks.  The chance to reunite with former teammate Carmelo Anthony as well as Chauncey Billups could be enough to convince him to come to the Big Apple and get a shot at a title.  More importantly, he would finally get the chance that was cruelly taken away from him on draft night nearly 10 years ago: to become the next great big man in New York Knicks history.

No. 4: J.R. Smith

As I mentioned before, the Knicks need a shooter off the bench.  This is a role that could arguably be filled by Toney Douglas, but his tendency to take bad outside shots over driving to the basket to draw a foul is somewhat disconcerting.  That being said, why not bring in a phenomenal three-point shooter and electrifying dunker in Carmelo Anthony's old teammate, J.R. Smith?

Simply put, Smith would be perfect for D'Antoni's system.  He shot 39 percent from downtown last season and averaged 12.3 points per game in 25 minutes off the bench.  This is a guy who could be Leandro Barbosa, but with dunking on top of three-point shooting.

On top of that, Smith is from nearby Freehold, New Jersey.  What better homecoming than to return to the tri-state area?  Either way, expect the Knicks to at least make him a lucrative offer.

No. 3: Samuel Dalembert

Though his numbers were nothing to write home about last season (8.1 points, 8.2 rebounds and 1.5 blocks), Samuel Dalembert is still someone the Knicks front office needs to consider.  He has great size at 6'11" and 250 pounds and has the ability to average double figures in both points and rebounds, not to mention the ability to also be a devastating blocker.

More important, however, is the fact that Dalembert is a nine-year veteran who could bring tremendous leadership to the team.  He is a good locker room presence who could potentially do well in Mike D'Antoni's system and if he lives up to any hype, could be highly popular in New York.

No. 2: J.J. Barea

If the Knicks managed to land J.J. Barea, the fans at Madison Square Garden would probably roar on a regular basis.  Here is a scrappy guard who could be a top dog off the bench and given how he is fresh off winning a championship with the Dallas Mavericks, his experience on that level could be a tremendous help for the team.

Also, Barea is exactly the type of player the Knicks need off the bench.  He is simply perfect in the fact that he can drive hard to the basket and draw fouls as well as nail some electrifying three-pointers.  He may be a small guy generously listed at 6'1", but he plays with the heart of someone much bigger.

His toughness is something that hasn't been seen in New York in a long time and if he came to the Big Apple, he could be an instant hit.

No. 1: Tyson Chandler

Out of all the big men on the market, Tyson Chandler is the one that I want the Knicks to covet the most.  He may not post the numbers one would expect from someone 7'1" and 235 pounds, but his dominance on the inside played a huge role in the Dallas Mavericks winning an NBA championship last season.

In his lone season with the Mavs, Chandler averaged 10.1 points, 9.4 rebounds and 1.1 blocks.  On top of that, he was a great leader along with team top dog Dirk Nowitzki and he has proven his ability to defend other big men like Kendrick Perkins and Chris Bosh.

That all being said, it only makes sense for the Knicks to pursue him.  The team is young and needs more leadership on top of Stoudemire and Anthony and Chandler could easily fill that role.  More importantly, what if he adjusts well to D'Antoni's style of coaching?  He could become an offensive and rebounding machine.

Also, the championship experience wouldn't hurt at all.  If he is landed for the right price, New York could become title-town sooner than anticipated.