Between a starting center and shooting guard, Knicks president Phil Jackson has to craftily split his $29 million-plus of cap space. That figure accounts for cap holds on four of his own free agents (Derrick Williams, Kevin Seraphin, Lance Thomas, Langston Galloway).

Bazemore is high on the Knicks’ list for a shooting guard, but they know resources aren’t unlimited if they want to sign their own free agents to pacts that will allow them to go over the salary cap.

Bazemore is not setting up any meetings with teams until the Hawks make their intentions clear whether they will go for his large asking price. Meanwhile, a report Tuesday night stated Miami shooting guard — and friend of Carmelo Anthony — Dwyane Wade, 34, who had been considered a shoo-in to re-sign with the Heat, is supposedly open to offers after early talks didn’t go well.

According to an NBA source, Bazemore is “not ruling the Knicks out because he fills a need for them at the wing.” But the source isn’t sure if the Knicks will come into play. Bazemore’s intention is to stay in Atlanta. But if it doesn’t work out, Bazemore will have a bevy of suitors, including New Orleans and the Knicks.

Atlanta would have to use its precious cap space to re-sign Bazemore. The Hawks’ only other option is using the early Bird exception on Bazemore, but that pact would start at $6 million.

Bazemore is expected to seek more than double that — a pact starting at at least $16 million. That’s more than the player he replaced in the starting lineup, DeMarre Carroll (four years, $60 million last summer). The Hawks could afford it with their cap space, but reportedly are now trying to get in on Kevin Durant.

Getting a contract starting at more than $16 million is quite the haul for the undrafted former Old Dominion standout who blossomed for the Hawks this season as he completed his two-year, $4 million pact. He averaged 11.6 points, 5.4 rebounds and 2.6 assists this season.

The Knicks view him as a badly needed defensive stopper in the backcourt to team with point guard Derrick Rose, whose defense is suspect.

Bazemore will likely become the poster child for the obscene rise in salaries pushed by the unprecedented increase in the cap ($70 million to $92 million).

One of the coveted, new-age “3 and D’’ guys, Bazemore is very athletic, only 27 years old and a better shooter than the two free-agent Evans — Evan Turner and Evan Fournier, who is restricted.

But Bazemore also has benefited from being on a deep Hawks’ squad. Consider the first two seasons of his career, in 2012-13 and 2013-14, he shuttled back and forth from the D-League seven times — between Golden State and Santa Cruz.

If Atlanta gets its man, the Knicks may go for the more realistic and cheaper option in ex-Net Courtney Lee, the 30-year-old shooting guard who keeps improving gradually, and spend most of their cap room on a center.

In an even more economical move, the Knicks have veteran sharpshooter Kevin Martin on their radar. But some in the league feel the Knicks are better off spending more on a shooting guard than a center.

It’s all a juggling act for Jackson, who has not yet secured a meeting with Durant, the NBA’ s No. 1 free agent. He also doesn’t have a meeting with Bazemore, who is attractive because he’s an unrestricted free agent, unlike restricted free agent Bradley Beal, for whom Washington can match any offer.

Beal also has plenty of support in the Knicks’ organization, which wonders whether the Wizards would balk at a monstrous deal because of his injury history. But there are indications the Wizards intend to get Beal done sooner than later with a maximum extension offer.

The Knicks reportedly also are likely to sit down with free-agent wing Chandler Parsons, though he is not an elite defensive player.

http://nypost.com/2016/06/28/knicks-weighing-own-free-agents-with-pricey-kent-bazemore/

nyknickzingis wrote:Most interesting thing that came out of that article is Knicks want to keep Seraphin, Williams, Thomas and Galloway using early bird rights or cap holds. That is your bench right there. I do not know if Knicks can keep all of them, though.

Parsons was someone I was sure Phil would take a look at, Hornachek too. Good 3 point shooter, able to play point forward ala Pippen, Odom, Kukoc types. Phil has always loved those type of players. However Parsons is a player I think will get a huge deal. Can not see anything less than $80M/4.

I remain consistent on my take. Get talent, regardless of position. Maximize skill and talent on the team. We have versatile players with Melo and KP. Both can move up a position. If we sign a player like Parsons, KP can play more 5, and Melo more 4. Parsons has beem ok with a 6th man role for a few teams.

I'm surprised that they want Seraphin back, honestly. Especially if Hernangomez is coming.

But yes, interesting to hear they still want DWill - I would like that. I think he's still got plenty of room to grow.

Parsons would be interesting... but I agree he'll get a lot of money and he makes less sense roster-wise if we retain DWill and Lance Thomas.

fishmike wrote:

crzymdups wrote:

nyknickzingis wrote:Most interesting thing that came out of that article is Knicks want to keep Seraphin, Williams, Thomas and Galloway using early bird rights or cap holds. That is your bench right there. I do not know if Knicks can keep all of them, though.

Parsons was someone I was sure Phil would take a look at, Hornachek too. Good 3 point shooter, able to play point forward ala Pippen, Odom, Kukoc types. Phil has always loved those type of players. However Parsons is a player I think will get a huge deal. Can not see anything less than $80M/4.

I remain consistent on my take. Get talent, regardless of position. Maximize skill and talent on the team. We have versatile players with Melo and KP. Both can move up a position. If we sign a player like Parsons, KP can play more 5, and Melo more 4. Parsons has beem ok with a 6th man role for a few teams.

I'm surprised that they want Seraphin back, honestly. Especially if Hernangomez is coming.

But yes, interesting to hear they still want DWill - I would like that. I think he's still got plenty of room to grow.

Parsons would be interesting... but I agree he'll get a lot of money and he makes less sense roster-wise if we retain DWill and Lance Thomas.

I am like the only guy here probably but I think Seraphin can be a good player. He started as a black hole and out of shape but looked better as the season went on. He's very young and I was surprised by his combo of size and quickness. I also have no problem letting Willy, KOQ and Seraphin fight for minutes.

Bazemore would be good. Not a fan of that salary but a Bazemore/Noah offseason could nicely move the needle.

Seraphin had his moments last season , but he's inconsistent. Too many WTF moments. Really hope Knicks can keep Thomas if he's healthy. He outworks most players on the floor.

fishmike wrote:

GustavBahler wrote:

fishmike wrote:

crzymdups wrote:

nyknickzingis wrote:Most interesting thing that came out of that article is Knicks want to keep Seraphin, Williams, Thomas and Galloway using early bird rights or cap holds. That is your bench right there. I do not know if Knicks can keep all of them, though.

Parsons was someone I was sure Phil would take a look at, Hornachek too. Good 3 point shooter, able to play point forward ala Pippen, Odom, Kukoc types. Phil has always loved those type of players. However Parsons is a player I think will get a huge deal. Can not see anything less than $80M/4.

I remain consistent on my take. Get talent, regardless of position. Maximize skill and talent on the team. We have versatile players with Melo and KP. Both can move up a position. If we sign a player like Parsons, KP can play more 5, and Melo more 4. Parsons has beem ok with a 6th man role for a few teams.

I'm surprised that they want Seraphin back, honestly. Especially if Hernangomez is coming.

But yes, interesting to hear they still want DWill - I would like that. I think he's still got plenty of room to grow.

Parsons would be interesting... but I agree he'll get a lot of money and he makes less sense roster-wise if we retain DWill and Lance Thomas.

I am like the only guy here probably but I think Seraphin can be a good player. He started as a black hole and out of shape but looked better as the season went on. He's very young and I was surprised by his combo of size and quickness. I also have no problem letting Willy, KOQ and Seraphin fight for minutes.

Bazemore would be good. Not a fan of that salary but a Bazemore/Noah offseason could nicely move the needle.

Seraphin had his moments last season , but he's inconsistent. Too many WTF moments. Really hope Knicks can keep Thomas if he's healthy. He outworks most players on the floor.

I don't project Seraphin for greatness but I liked how he improved through the season and he seems like a good teammate. Tons of WTF moments but fewer as the season went on.

More think about it the more a Noah/Bazemore offseason sounds really good. The blue collar guys you need to max out KP/Melo/Rose effectiveness.

Who would you start?

fishmike wrote:

crzymdups wrote:

nyknickzingis wrote:Most interesting thing that came out of that article is Knicks want to keep Seraphin, Williams, Thomas and Galloway using early bird rights or cap holds. That is your bench right there. I do not know if Knicks can keep all of them, though.

Parsons was someone I was sure Phil would take a look at, Hornachek too. Good 3 point shooter, able to play point forward ala Pippen, Odom, Kukoc types. Phil has always loved those type of players. However Parsons is a player I think will get a huge deal. Can not see anything less than $80M/4.

I remain consistent on my take. Get talent, regardless of position. Maximize skill and talent on the team. We have versatile players with Melo and KP. Both can move up a position. If we sign a player like Parsons, KP can play more 5, and Melo more 4. Parsons has beem ok with a 6th man role for a few teams.

I'm surprised that they want Seraphin back, honestly. Especially if Hernangomez is coming.

But yes, interesting to hear they still want DWill - I would like that. I think he's still got plenty of room to grow.

Parsons would be interesting... but I agree he'll get a lot of money and he makes less sense roster-wise if we retain DWill and Lance Thomas.

I am like the only guy here probably but I think Seraphin can be a good player. He started as a black hole and out of shape but looked better as the season went on. He's very young and I was surprised by his combo of size and quickness. I also have no problem letting Willy, KOQ and Seraphin fight for minutes.

Bazemore would be good. Not a fan of that salary but a Bazemore/Noah offseason could nicely move the needle.

Well there might not be many on here with you about Seraphin but i am and he's proven that he's a better player than what we saw last year with other teams he's played with. I think with a better team and coach around him he can easily be the first big man off the bench to play center and PF for us next year.

MS wrote:NBA is a joke.

There guy's not an All Star and will never be one and he wants to start at 16MM.

You prefer the crazy new TV money go into the owner's pockets instead?

MS wrote:No.

I would prefer players like Iman Shumpert not make 10MM and guys asking for max money average at least 13pts before asking for 16MM a year. Chandler Parsons can't stay on the court and he wants 16MM. Bradley Biel is talking about minutes restrictions at 23 years old and wants max dollars.

You can't build a team when your 5th and 6th best players are asking 10MM - 16MM a year.

Roll players should get 3MM not 10MM. Everyone is getting a Joe Johnson type deal.

The problem is the NBA has a few superstars are and FILLED with role players.

The cap is a fixed percentage of revenue (x) and therefore the salary floor (y) is a fixed percentage of review. And new now know this figure IS $84.6m (and going up next year), and that's only if NO team goes over the cap.

If teams don't spend up to $84.6m, where do you want that money to go to?

MS wrote:I have no problem with guys getting paid.

But, again it should like like the following

Earl Thomas 3MM - 4MM
Courtney Lee 6MM-7MM
Derek Williams 6MM
Jared Dudley 5MM-6MM

With money to spare.

Two problems.

The math doesn't add up. YOu don't get to a floor of $85m that way.

And there can't be any money to spare.

That violates the CBA.

GustavBahler wrote:

fishmike wrote:

GustavBahler wrote:

fishmike wrote:

crzymdups wrote:

nyknickzingis wrote:Most interesting thing that came out of that article is Knicks want to keep Seraphin, Williams, Thomas and Galloway using early bird rights or cap holds. That is your bench right there. I do not know if Knicks can keep all of them, though.

Parsons was someone I was sure Phil would take a look at, Hornachek too. Good 3 point shooter, able to play point forward ala Pippen, Odom, Kukoc types. Phil has always loved those type of players. However Parsons is a player I think will get a huge deal. Can not see anything less than $80M/4.

I remain consistent on my take. Get talent, regardless of position. Maximize skill and talent on the team. We have versatile players with Melo and KP. Both can move up a position. If we sign a player like Parsons, KP can play more 5, and Melo more 4. Parsons has beem ok with a 6th man role for a few teams.

I'm surprised that they want Seraphin back, honestly. Especially if Hernangomez is coming.

But yes, interesting to hear they still want DWill - I would like that. I think he's still got plenty of room to grow.

Parsons would be interesting... but I agree he'll get a lot of money and he makes less sense roster-wise if we retain DWill and Lance Thomas.

I am like the only guy here probably but I think Seraphin can be a good player. He started as a black hole and out of shape but looked better as the season went on. He's very young and I was surprised by his combo of size and quickness. I also have no problem letting Willy, KOQ and Seraphin fight for minutes.

Bazemore would be good. Not a fan of that salary but a Bazemore/Noah offseason could nicely move the needle.

Seraphin had his moments last season , but he's inconsistent. Too many WTF moments. Really hope Knicks can keep Thomas if he's healthy. He outworks most players on the floor.

I don't project Seraphin for greatness but I liked how he improved through the season and he seems like a good teammate. Tons of WTF moments but fewer as the season went on.

More think about it the more a Noah/Bazemore offseason sounds really good. The blue collar guys you need to max out KP/Melo/Rose effectiveness.

Who would you start?