This is via ESPN insider. Pretty much along the lines we have discussed.
Mikhail Prokhorov wasted little time.
"We will turn Knicks fans into Nets fans," the New Jersey Nets' new owner declared at his introductory press conference on May 19, 2010.
A little over a month later, Prokhorov's visage loomed large at Eighth Avenue and 34th Street in Manhattan, just around the way from Madison Square Garden. A giant 225-foot mural of him and Nets minority owner Jay-Z -- with the message, "The blueprint for greatness" -- went up just in time for the most anticipated free-agency period in NBA history. Both the New Jersey Nets and New York Knicks entered free agency with cap space for multiple stars and were granted a seat across the table from LeBron James.
Shots fired. These were bold moves. And the public perception of the Knicks at the time, a team still mending the wounds of the Isiah Thomas era, a team that hadn't had a winning season in a decade, wasn't exactly positive -- which made this all the more intriguing.
Could this Russian billionaire follow through on all the early bravado, score big and perhaps steal a little of the spotlight from the reeling Knicks?
Fast-forward a year later. And that answer is, well, no. At least not yet.
Though Prokhorov and the Nets' global icon pitch reportedly impressed James, the team struck out on him and every other star available. (Sorry, Travis Outlaw.) The team finished the 2010-11 season a lackluster 24-58. While New York didn't land a Big Three, the Knicks did sign Amare Stoudemire, one of the top free agents in the 2010 class. Stoudemire made an instant impact and helped lead the Knicks to the playoffs for the first time since 2004 and their first above-.500 record since 2000-01.
But the big-time trades the two clubs pulled off during the season, not free agency, may ultimately define each team's future. Carmelo Anthony's addition to New York in a long-anticipated trade assures the Knicks serious talent and scoring prowess on the wing, though he's been criticized for his inefficiency in getting those buckets, and questions about his defensive remain. The Nets' trade for Deron Williams, one that came together quickly and surprised many, gives them the star they failed to net in free agency and a franchise point guard. But it was a risky move, since the former Illini standout is set for free agency after the 2011-12 season (which may not even occur). Whether he remains with the team for the long term remains to be seen.
Yet, with a new stadium, the Barclays Center, currently being constructed in Brooklyn, along with cap space still remaining, the Nets have room for optimism. The Knicks, too, will be playing in a new stadium (sort of), as the first phase of Madison Square Garden's $850 million renovation project kicked off this summer.
We've just scratched the surface on a new era of New York City pro hoops. Here's a look at each team's needs and potential moves as we head into Year 2 of the on-court remodeling projects:
Knicks
After shipping out three core rotation players -- Wilson Chandler, Raymond Felton and Danilo Gallinari -- in exchange for Anthony, the Knicks left themselves with less depth and some holes that need filling at point guard and in the frontcourt.
Could Steve Nash or Chris Paul wind up in a Knicks uniform?
The Knicks do have Chauncey Billups at point guard for now. But age (he turns 35 in September), contract length (expiring in 2011-12) and rumblings he could be a trade chip would seem to indicate he's not a long-term option.
The dream at the point is Chris Paul, which would complete the reported toast he made at Anthony's wedding in July 2010, when he spoke of a Knicks Big Three -- himself, Anthony and Stoudemire. There's also been chatter of a Steve Nash swan song in New York City -- where he hangs during the offseason -- which would open the door for a Nash-Stoudemire-D'Antoni reunion tour, rekindling their days in Phoenix. (Though D'Antoni's contract is up after 2011-12, and his future is murky at present.) But with Anthony receiving a max extension from New York and a more restrictive collective bargaining agreement likely on the way, it doesn't look like the Knicks will be able to offer Paul much when he's eligible for free agency in the summer of 2012. And Phoenix has been pretty steadfast in its reluctance to trade Nash so far, though he'll also be up for free agency after the 2011-12 season. Nash turns 38 in February, though, meaning he likely won't play for too much longer.
We've previously discussed the idea of the Knicks' making an under-the-radar run at Rodrigue Beaubois via trade, but Paul and Nash exist as the top options here.
Up front, Stoudemire is in need of a running mate. Timofey Mozgov was in and out of the rotation and eventually traded to Denver in the Anthony deal. Ronny Turiaf doesn't seem to be the answer, at least not in a starting role. Jared Jeffries was a stopgap solution for the end of last season and the playoffs. The Knicks did obtain big man Josh Harrellson, a second-round selection, on draft night back in June. But it's unlikely he'll make an impact at this juncture. Jerome Jordan, a second-round pick in the 2010 draft who played in Serbia last season, will be in the Knicks' training camp. The 7-footer will provide another body up front, but whether he'll be a reliable option alongside Stoudemire remains to be seen.
The Knicks could make a run at Samuel Dalembert whenever free agency picks up again, whose addition would help in two ways: (1) It would fill the hole next to Stoudemire in the frontcourt; (2) Dalembert would help block shots and protect the rim for a team focusing more on defense this summer. But speculation is that the Miami Heat could be an ideal landing spot for the Haitian native since they're also in need of a center and Miami has a sizable Haitian community.
The Knicks appear to be putting more emphasis on defense too -- never a noted strong suit of D'Antoni's -- by looking to hire a defensive assistant this offseason. Lawrence Frank was reportedly in the mix for the position before he took Detroit's head-coaching job, and Mike Woodson has interviewed recently, though the spot has yet to be filled. The selection of Iman Shumpert -- a surprise to many at No. 17 in the first round of June's draft -- was also a nod to the team's newfound emphasis on defense; New York finished an unimpressive 21st in the league last season in defensive efficiency, giving up 106.9 points per 100 possessions, according to ESPN's John Hollinger. Shumpert was touted as one of the best perimeter defenders in the draft and has good size at the guard position.
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Seems like it is simple. If the cap leaves any hope of added Paul, we will hold out for that opportunity. If that is not the case, we will make a hard push towards a quality center this summer, most likely Dalembert, or Aaron Gray as a 2nd option. He would instantly become the best center we have had in many years and fills all of the needs we have in the center position. He isn't a major addition, but at the center position he is quality, probably better than half the starting centers in the league. Gray has been stuck behind OK4 and is a solid option as well. He isn't the athlete or shotblocker, but is a good rebounder and very smart player. Then next summer we have a couple of things to figure out. Is Billups still good enough at the PG position and is Fields the future at SG. I have faith in Fields so i think we stick with him long term. He does the little things and will continue to improve his shooting and defense because he is smart. At the PG position, we likely won't resign Billups. Since Paul might be impossible to add, we will look at one of two players. If Nash has two years left in the tank we will sign him and continue to prep Shumpert as his eventual replacement. Same goes if we do resign Billups. If not, we will look to Sessions, who is a good fit at the PG moving forward. Still has a ton of potential and is one of the better P&R PGs in the league.
Our lineup becomes either Nash or Sessions at the PG, Fields, Anthony, Stoudemire, and Dalembert or Gray at center
with Shumpert, Douglas, Williams, and Jordan rounding out the rotation.
