The New York Knicks finished the season with the second-worst record in NBA, but they're looking to expedite their rebuilding process by signing one or two marquee free agents to play with Carmelo Anthony and one of the top picks in the draft. Here are the players they will be targeting this offseason:
C Marc Gasol, Memphis Grizzlies
Gasol is target No. 1 for Phil Jackson, and he should be. He’s the perfect big man for the Triangle system due to his deft passing touch, and he’ll give the Knicks the defensive presence they thought they were getting from Tyson Chandler. Gasol is also a threat offensively even though he doesn’t need any plays to be called for him, and that will allow Carmelo Anthony to continue to be the focal point of the offense.
The Knicks will pursue Gasol even if they land the top overall pick and draft Duke center Jahlil Okafor. Both players don’t have to play on the block to be successful, meaning they could be productive playing together. Gasol hasn’t said much about his impending free agency this season, but there were rumors before the season that the Knicks were his top choice.
PF LaMarcus Aldridge, Portland Trail Blazers
Aldridge doesn’t appear to be going anywhere, but that doesn’t mean he’ll be short on suitors. He averaged over 23 points and 10 rebounds per game while playing through a thumb injury that will need surgery in the offseason. Aldridge will get max offers from every team – the Spurs and Lakers are also very interested in him – but it will take a sweet deal to sign him away from Portland.
C DeAndre Jordan, Los Angeles Clippers
Jordan enjoys playing for the Clippers, but they might not be willing to offer him the money that’s necessary to keep him in Los Angeles. Teams have cap space to give him close to max deal if they so choose, and while that may seem like an overpay, Jordan’s elite rebounding and shot-blocking abilities would greatly improve any team.
PF Draymond Green, Golden State Warriors
Green has emerged as a star in just his second season in the league, but his short and cheap contract from being a second-round pick will come off the books this offseason. Golden State is paying him just $915K this year, and Green is likely to receive a max contract on the open market. As much as the Warriors would like to keep him, they might not be able to afford it with Klay Thompson’s max extension kicking in next season.
SF Tobias Harris, Orlando Magic
Harris, who’s just 22 years old, is one of the best young players in the league and a Long Island native that wants to return home, and Marc Berman of the New York Post reported that he has “wants to win a championship with the Knicks”:
Harris has a big summer ahead, electing to become a restricted free agent rather than signing Orlando’s 4-year, $36 million extension offer. A source told The Post in November the Knicks are tops on his list.
Thursday night, a close friend of Harris’ told The Post, “He wants to win a championship with the Knicks.”
However, Harris is extremely careful when speaking about free agency.
“I don’t think about it too much,” Harris said. “I’m trying to play basketball, worry about the present with Orlando. That’s my mind-set. After the season, when that time comes, we’ll be able to discuss that and go from there.”
He’s a restricted free agent, meaning Orlando can match any offer he receives, so New York will likely have to overpay to bring him into the fold. Harris won’t be one of the sexier names on the free agent market, but he’s a very productive player (17.1 ppg, 6.9 rpg) the Knicks could bring in for less than a max contract and could develop into something special.
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