NBA Free Agents: Knicks Need to Up Ante If They Want Grant Hill

The New York Knicks are only offering one-year deals to prospective free agents. The team from the Big Apple refuses to pay big money to anyone in an effort to save cap room for the big 2012 free agency summer.

Rumors have already been flying, and we know that the Knickerbockers have their eyes set on one man: Chris Paul.

Moving for Paul makes sense, but this dream scenario is exactly that: a dream. There are so many factors playing against the Knicks landing the superstar point guard that the Knicks have to wise up at some point.

They may choose to wait it out for Paul and hope to sign him in free agency, but by doing so, they may sacrifice a chance at success this season.

Again, the Knicks are only offering one-year deals.

According to the New York Post, the Knicks did reach out to a few noteworthy free agents, including Grant Hill:

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Yesterday was the first day agents were allowed to talk to NBA teams about free agents, and the Knicks spoke with Hill’s rep. Hill made a recruiting visit to the Knicks two years ago but turned down their one-year offer for the full mid-level exception, $5.8 million, and accepted Phoenix’s two-year, $6.4 million offer.

The Knicks may have to take the best player available willing to sign for one year, and Hill is a possibility.

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The Post is painting a bit of an overly-optimistic picture with Hill. As they said, Hill turned down the Knicks' one-year offer two years ago, and most around the league expect the Suns to do everything in their power to keep the veteran in the desert.

That said, Hill is 39 years old now, and the Knicks post a much more considerable threat to an NBA title than the Suns do. As much as Hill wants to play and be paid, thinking about being a contender should weigh heavily on his decision as well.

The Knicks would be wise to do what they can with Hill. He's an ideal veteran presence for a team like this, and D'Antoni knows it.

The Knicks need a center as well, and they will likely bring back Jarred Jeffries at the veteran's minimum.

They could also bring over rookie Jerome Jordan from Slovenia. However, the Knicks are cautious on that move, fearing his signing would put them over the new, more severe luxury tax.

But all this fear, doubt and one-year wheeling-and-dealing has to do with saving money for Chris Paul.

If New York honestly believes they can pull it off, then there is little argument to make. But if they can go out and get someone like Grant Hill right now to help make this team better, then they need to think about that as well.

If they up the ante just a bit, it could be the difference between just being in the playoffs and winning in the playoffs.