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TEAMS KNICKS ALAN HAHN
KNICKS FIX
MONDAY, JULY 06, 2015
THE KNICKS FIX: KNICKS GET QUANTITY INSTEAD OF QUICK FIX
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Editor's Note: The signings discussed in this piece are not official. Teams cannot announce signings until July 9.
The fact of the matter is, the missed out on the biggest name in free agency. So did 28 other teams.
Marc Gasol was the one marquee name the Knicks were going to chase with the fervor of their 2010 pitch to LeBron James. Gasol fit everything the Knicks wanted and needed as they rebuild the franchise not just in talent, but in philosophy and character.
Gasol never put himself on the open market. He wants to stay in Memphis and made that abundantly clear. No other team, not even the San Antonio Spurs, got audience with him.
So, for the Knicks, instead of eating up the largest portion of their salary cap space on one player, their Plan B became an effort that was quite opposite of the way the team has done business in the past.
Yes, there was a scheduled meeting with LaMarcus Aldridge, who would have taken up the same chunk that Gasol would have. The truth is that meeting was strategically placed, by both sides, at the bottom of Aldridge’s itinerary. Once it was clear that LMA heard what he wanted from the Spurs, his reps and the Knicks agreed there was no reason to pursue.
They created an excuse based on what position he would play. As if that would have been allowed to be the deciding factor in landing the biggest name available in free agency. Both sides had to use their time wisely.
Another reality that has yet to be presented involves Greg Monroe, who, for months, was linked to the Knicks as a free agent target. The Knicks reportedly met with Monroe on the first night of free agency, but contrary to reports based on what Monroe’s agent, David Falk, said, the Knicks never made a full max offer to Monroe. In fact, I’ve heard from a few people that the Knicks never made any offer to Monroe. The max, apparently, was assumed by Falk.
There was interest in Monroe, but the plan changed at the NBA Draft, when the decision to draft 7-1 project Kris Porzingis was made. With Porzingis, an offensive talent, the Knicks needed to focus on a defensive-minded big man.
This is why DeAndre Jordan, not Monroe, became the priority. Jordan, who was frustrated being overshadowed on the endorsement front by teammates Chris Paul and Blake Griffin, had an interest in the New York market. Jordan’s defense and rebounding would have been major assets for the Knicks, but there was greater competition for his services. The Dallas Mavericks, in Jordan’s home state of Texas, were a better fit.
Enter .
has long admired Lopez. You can just imagine what that meeting was like between the two eccentric personalities, who, I’m told, became fast friends. Lopez brings the Knicks a defensive presence who is also quite mobile and, most importantly, has a high basketball IQ. He'll easily fit into the “learners” category when it comes to the Triangle Offense.
At a reported $13.5 million per year, Lopez becomes the second-highest paid Knick on the roster (behind Carmelo Anthony). He’s coming off a season limited to just 59 games due to injury, but he did return for the playoffs. He's a good defensive big who can also finish around the rim (66.9% FG within three feet) and is a better-than-advertised offensive rebounder.
After moving JR Smith, Iman Shumpert and Tim Hardaway Jr., the Knicks had a desperate need on the wing, so they signed to a two-year deal at a bargain of $8 million per year, based on the market. Afflalo will be 30 when the season starts and was a teammate of Melo’s in Denver. His Szczerbiak Slash Line (FG/3PT/FT) is 45.3%/38.5%/81.9%, which is right at the criteria my studio partner Wally Szczerbiak calls for when labeling someone a good shooter.
[Note: Wally believes you must shoot 45+% FG, 40+% 3PT and 80+%FT]
Afflalo struggled in Portland after he was traded late in the season from Orlando. His reputation as a good defender took a hit after his years with the Magic. But he's considered a pro’s pro -- a high-character player who the young players in Orlando raved about -- and, of course, he’s in that “learners” category, too.
The third addition is somewhat of a gamble and a curious one., the former No. 2 overall pick in the 2011 NBA Draft, reportedly signed for two years at $5 million per year. Williams, at 6-8 and 240 pounds, has been considered a bust, but he’s still just 24-years-old. His issues have mostly surrounded the fact that he hasn’t been a good shooter at the NBA level and his production elsewhere -- especially rebounding -- has not made up for it.
Williams has proven to be a strong finisher near the basket (59.2% within 8 feet last season), but those numbers plummet the further away he goes (between 8-16 feet, he shot 27.8% last season). Despite paltry perimeter shooting, he actually proved to be reliable from a critical spot on the floor in today’s game: the corner three. Williams hit 10 of 36 (45.5%) from the left corner three-point spot last season.
Another statistical quirk: Williams was 29th in the NBA in dunks (65), which is notable since he was rarely the focus of the Kings offense this season. By comparison, no Knick finished in the Top 50 in dunks in the NBA last season.
The question will be if Williams can build off last season, and also live off the many opportunities afforded by the Triangle Offense along the baseline.
The addition that, to me, is the most intriguing is , a 6-10, 240 pound late-bloomer who's from Queens. O’Quinn, at 25, is still developing and could wind up being a steal at a reported $4 million per year.
O’Quinn is a bit raw, but has improved each year in Orlando. He averages 13 points, 10.5 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 2.1 blocks and 1.1 steals per 36 Minutes. You also have to point out that he averages 5.2 fouls per 36, so he’s got to watch that part of his game.
What you also like is that he shoots 76.8% at the rim (0-3 feet) and a very steady 44.8% between 8-16 feet.
He represented the last of the Knicks cap space for this summer. The team does qualify for a $2.8 million “room” exception, which they are expected to use on a remaining veteran that's still available.
At this point, the Knicks have 8 players under contract for next season, with the two first round picks Porzingis and Jerian Grant yet to be signed. There's also last year’s second-round pick in the organization. The NBA requires 12 players on the active roster for a game.
Along with the exception, the Knicks can offer the veteran’s minimum to other players to fill out the roster.
What can’t be overlooked is that the Knicks did maintain flexibility in the future, which is especially important with the salary cap exploding upward in each of the next two offseasons. Right now, there are just three players who are committed to contracts beyond 2016-17. After the first round picks are signed, it will be five.
These factors -- and adding a second first-round pick this year when they don’t have one next year -- are important as the franchise takes the route of the slow build over the quick-fix effort that just wasn’t available this summer.
7/7/2015 9:03 PM