NBA Free Agency: Players the Knicks Can Use Their Mid Level Exception on

The Knicks recently made a statement by agreeing to sign Tyson Chandler to a four-year, $58 million contract.  

The Knicks were already slightly over the cap so to make room for Tyson Chandler the Knicks will use their amnesty clause to take Chauncey Billups' hefty contract off the books.  They will also look to ship Ronnie Turiaf off to another team.  

The does not mean, however, that the Knicks are done spending.  In fact, the Knicks still posses their mid-level exception which can be used to sign a player even while over the cap.  The Knicks will definitely take advantage of this exception which can be used to sign a player for up to $5 million. 

With Chris Paul off the market, after his reported deal to the Lakers, the Knicks will be willing to sign a player for multiple years using the MLE since the Knicks are now out of the running to sign a max contract player next offseason barring a trade. 

The Knicks roster with Tyson Chandler is much more complete than last year's roster, but there are still holes in this roster.  For one, the point guard position is a big question mark.  It seems as if Tony Douglas is the best option there.  

The Knicks could also use some help at shooting guard as Landry Fields is still developing.  The Knicks could also use their MLE to sure up the center position.  With Turiaf likely gone, a backup will be needed unless the Knicks feel Jerome Jordan is ready to play in this league.  

Here are five players the Knicks can use the MLE on this year:

Jeff Foster

I currently see Foster as the front-runner to play under the MLE for the Knicks.  The Knicks have shown a great deal of interest in him.  

Foster, 34, has been a role player his whole career and would fit in nicely with the Knicks rotation.  He would be a welcome addition to the Knicks' frontcourt as he is not afraid to play physical defense and is willing to go after every rebound.  

Foster only played about 17 minutes a game last year but still managed to nab over six rebounds a game.  

Foster would be able to come off the bench to give both Chandler and Stoudemire some much needed rest.  Although he is limited offensively, he will be a presence on the boards, which was a huge problem for the Knicks last year.  

I would not be surprised if the Knicks offered Foster a two-year deal worth $8 million.  

Samuel Dalembert

Dalembert to the Knicks is a highly unlikely scenario but not an impossible one.  

The unrestricted free agent is currently coveted by over a dozen NBA teams and for good reason.  He will likely look for a starting role, however, Dalembert hasn't played over 30 minutes a game in the past three seasons. 

He may look to be a solid role player on a successful team.  That is where the Knicks come into play.  

Dalembert would have to take a pay cut to play with the Knicks but don't be surprised if he is willing to do so to win an NBA title. 

Dalembert, Stoudemire, and Chandler would be part of one of the most dominant front courts in the league.  Their size would allow the Knicks to be one of the most dominant rebounding teams in the NBA. 

Jamal Crawford

The Atlanta Hawks just signed Tracy McGrady to a one-year deal which signals the end to the Jamal Crawford era in Atlanta.  

Crawford would likely want to join up with a championship contending team and New York seems like the perfect fit ... except for the fact that they would only be able to offer him $5 million a year. 

However, Crawford might be willing to come back the Garden to be the Knicks' starting shooting guard next season.  

Crawford is still an excellent scorer in this league and is an underrated defensive player.  His contributions to the Knicks would ensure the Knicks a chance to be one of the NBA's top teams.  

The only question is: Would he be willing to take the pay cut?  The Knicks could sign him to a four-year deal worth $20 million.  

JJ Barea

The Knicks desperately need a point guard.  It seems as if they are going to go with Tony Douglas as the starter.  

JJ might not be the perfect fit in New York, since he likes to have the ball in his own hands, but he is the best point guard available at this point. 

He is currently upset that the Mavericks are only offering him a one-year deal and I feel the Knicks can lock him up if they sign him to a multi-year deal under MLE. 

JJ would be more likely to sign with the Knicks because they can actually give him a chance to start and he can be a major contributor right away. 

Wilson Chandler

I believe bringing Wilson Chandler back would be the best way the Knicks can use their MLE.  Chandler knows D'Antoni's system and would be a perfect fit as the Knicks' starting shooting guard.  

It seems as if Wilson would be the perfect fit back in New York, but there are a few obstacles:

1) Wilson is currently playing in China with the  Zhejiang Guangsha Lions and he does not currently have an opt-out clause. NBA teams would have to pay the Lions $500,000 to lure Chandler away from them. 

2) Wilson is a restricted free agent so the Nuggets have the ability to match any offer the Knicks propose, which would only be $5 million.  The Nuggets seem to like Wilson even though he did not put up the same kind of numbers in Denver as he did in New York.  The Knicks would have to luck out and hope the Nuggets aren't willing to match a $5 million offer.

While it might not be feasible to land Wilson Chandler before the season starts, we can all hope that the Knicks find a way to bring him back.  He resume his former role as the Knicks shooting guard and would give the Knicks both offensive and defensive boosts.