Knicks’ most pivotal free-agent move: Find a center
Updated June 29, 2016 3:55 PM
By Al Iannazzone al.iannazzone@newsday.com WINTER GARDEN, Fla. — Phil Jackson has already made one big offseason acquisition, but the Knicks president’s work this summer has only just begun.
Landing Derrick Rose in a trade with the Bulls addressed the Knicks’ need for a dynamic point guard. They still have many holes, and only five players under contract, so Jackson will be busy when free agency begins at 12:01 a.m. Friday. Teams can start signing players July 7.
The Knicks’ biggest needs are starting center and shooting guard. But new coach Jeff Hornacek said a big man is the priority after the Knicks sent Robin Lopez to Chicago in the Rose deal.
“They’re both pretty important,” Hornacek said following the Knicks’ summer league practice Wednesday. “I think definitely we need an experienced big in there. We need an experienced [shooting guard] too, but the two-guard spot probably we should be able to find someone. We have enough scorers.“We need a guy at the two spot who can help to run the offense. Maybe get some kick-out threes. We don’t necessarily need a two-man who can create a bunch of plays because we should have guys who are able to do that. So if you look at it that way, maybe the five-man might be a little bit more important now.”
The Knicks should have between $30 million and $35 million to spend in free agency, and they’ll have to spread it around with all the roster spots they have to fill.
They will try to get a meeting with Kevin Durant, but they’re considered long shots to sign the Oklahoma City All-Star. The list of centers on the market includes Joakim Noah, Pau Gasol, Hassan Whiteside, Al Horford, Dwight Howard, Timofey Mozgov and Bismack Biyombo.
Hornacek said that he wants the Knicks to be a “top 10” team defensively, and he’s looking for someone to play alongside Kristaps Porzingis to give them “two guys who can cover a lot of ground.”
Rose said in his introductory news conference last week that he wants to play with Noah, his former Bulls teammate, in New York. Noah, 31, is active defensively, a good rebounder and rim protector, which are what the Knicks need from their big man. They appear to be a good fit for each other. But Noah is expected to be wooed by the Wizards and Timberwolves also.
Howard would fit too, but the Knicks have to be smart not to overpay him at this stage of the 30-year-old’s career. Mozgov would be a good option, and a much cheaper one, if the Knicks miss out on Noah.
Gasol played for Jackson with the Lakers, but he’s expected to go to a contender such as the Spurs or Warriors. Whiteside will get big-money offers from the Mavericks and Heat, among others. Horford will be in demand too, and can get the most money from the Hawks, who hope to re-sign him. Bi yombo may return to Toronto.
The Knicks know they need to find a shooting guard who can make teams pay for when they focus their defensive attention on Carmelo Anthony or Rose. As of now, Hornacek might be the best shooter on the team.
“I hope not,” Hornacek said.
Teams are playing smaller now, so having multiple shooters or versatile wing players is critical to success.
Some of the free-agent shooting guards/small forwards include Nicolas Batum, Kent Bazemore, Courtney Lee, Evan Turner, Gerald Henderson Jamal Crawford and Eric Gordon. Their asking prices will vary considerably with Batum possibly getting a max deal to the more affordable Lee and Henderson.
“A lot of teams have money to spend,” Hornacek said. “We have a pretty good amount, it sounds like. Hopefully we can get a player or two that’ll really help us.”
The Knicks could shore up the perimeter/wing by bringing back some of their own free agents. Jackson has said he expects to re-sign Langston Galloway and Lance Thomas. Derrick Williams is another possibility. Cleanthony Early, who is on the summer league team, said he hopes to re-sign with the Knicks.
Potential Knicks Targets
1. Kevin Durant, F, Thunder: The Knicks weren’t one of the six teams that he granted an initial meeting with, but Durant has spent time with Carmelo Anthony, so some recruiting has been done. A chance to win a ring will be Durant’s top priority, making the Knicks a long shot and the Thunder, Warriors and Spurs the favorites, but Phil Jackson still has to make a call.
2. Joakim Noah, C, Bulls: The Knicks have a realistic shot at getting the former Defensive Player of the Year. Noah is from New York, he’s good friends with old teammate Derrick Rose, and two years ago he tried to recruit Anthony to Chicago prior to his free agency. The Knicks need defense, toughness and rebounding. Noah can provide all three, but he will have many suitors.
3. Dwight Howard, C, Rockets: His career and reputation are both on the decline, and he might be seeking a long-term contract for near-max money. As a defender and rebounder, he would be a decent fit if they can’t get Noah, but the Knicks shouldn’t give him too many years and should consider the negative effect he’s had on his teams recently.
4. Timofey Mozgov, C, Cavaliers: The Knicks are looking for a rim protector. Their scouts know and like Mozgov, a former Knick who isn’t a bad fall-back option.
5. Nicolas Batum, F, Hornets: The versatile Frenchman will be a sought-after free agent and likely will get a massive contract. Batum checks all the boxes of what the Knicks — and many teams — want: He can shoot, play multiple positions and he’s a playmaker. Charlotte hopes to keep him, but it will face heavy competition.
6. Kent Bazemore, G-F, Hawks: Another versatile player who can shoot, Bazemore would fit in well in the triangle offense or Jeff Hornacek’s up-tempo system that relies heavily on three-pointers. Bazemore is a good defender. The Hawks have made re-signing him a priority though.
7. Evan Turner, G-F, Celtics: Turner also is the type of long wing player that Jackson likes, but he isn’t a great three-point shooter (30.5 percent from three-point range in his career). His mid-range game is good and he has been a consistent performer for the Celtics the last two seasons.
8. Courtney Lee, G, Hornets: Lee could be a cheaper alternative at shooting guard to start or come off the bench. He’s not a high-volume three-point shooter, but he’s a career 38.4-percent shooter from deep, a solid defender on the perimeter and true professional.
9. Jamal Crawford, G, Clippers: Crawford wants to return to New York, and would definitely provide scoring off the bench, which is something the Knicks need. He also can play some point guard. But he should draw interest from contending teams.
10. Gerald Henderson, G, Blazers: Similar to Courtney Lee, and two years younger. Henderson, 28, has been a better scorer than Lee, but he’s not a long-range shooter. Still, Henderson could help the Knicks and perhaps at a discounted rate than other shooting guards.
6/29/2016 4:26 PM
