As the New York Knicks aim to rebuild off their current worst season in franchise history, they look towards the offseason to rebuild their team. It’s been long known a fact that the only member of the Knicks promised a role for next season is Carmelo Anthony.
With that being said, there are some pieces on the current roster that do deserve a look based off their play through the tough times this season. Guys like Langston Galloway, Tim Hardaway Jr, Jason Smith, Lou Amundson and Alexey Sheved have all come on for the team and played, ‘well’, in their opportunity to get more minutes.
Despite all that, as the end of the season looms, so do the questions like ‘where do the Knicks go from here?’
It appears there is an answer as to what direction they are looking to go.
Following from Sean Deveney of The Sporting News.
The Knicks will make their pass at Marc Gasol and LaMarcus Aldridge, and likely at Rajon Rondo and/or Goran Dragic, too, but expect them to be aggressive in pursuing as many young free agents as possible. Jackson does not want to build a team around players in their early 30s. That means Reggie Jackson, Greg Monroe and Brandon Knight will factor prominently on the Knicks’ radar as the team looks to avoid its long-standing habit of indulging in short-term fixes that set the franchise back in the long term.
And from Ian Begley of ESPN New York.
Knicks GM Steve Mills said the front offices doesn't focus solely on how a player fits in the triangle when they discuss potential additions
— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) April 3, 2015
#Knicks GM Steve Mills said the organization won't chase the biggest names on the market solely to make a spalsh, as they have in the past.
— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) April 3, 2015
Asked what the top priority is when it comes to building a title contender, #Knicks president Phil Jackson immediately mentions defense.
— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) April 3, 2015
#Knicks president Phil Jackson: "We knew we were going to have to take this team apart to get to where we wanted to go."
— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) April 3, 2015
This seems obvious but, if you were wondering, #Knicks president Phil Jackson said he hopes to get two starters in free agency.
— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) April 3, 2015
#Knicks' Phil Jackson said he doesn't want to get "chase" a big name in free agency. He said doing that with Amar'e put NYK in a "bad spot"
— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) April 3, 2015
The Knicks have laid the ground work for the type of player they are looking at this offseason. They want a player that fits all these criteria and then some. The issue is when you break it all down, it will be difficult to find that kind of player.
There is one positive though, the Knicks aren’t going to keep players hostage by the ‘triangle’ system when it comes to bringing the right players in.
From New York Daily News’ Frank Isola.
Phil now says "Forget about the triangle." Well, you brought it up Ad nauseam when u were hired & Jim Dolan had Spike make a movie about it.
— Frank Isola (@FisolaNYDN) April 2, 2015
The time for rumors is over, it’s time to lock in and focus on what’s next. And what’s next could be a big KAT coming to NYC.
That KAT, of course is Kentucky super freshman, Karl-Anthony Towns.
Steve Mills says #Knicks have already received two calls from opposing teams interested in their 1st round pick.
— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) April 3, 2015
Phil Jackson says high 1st round picks "can move the whole organization" forward. FWIW, Phil & Mills didn't sound interested in dealing pick
— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) April 3, 2015
Phil Jackson said #Knicks won't solicit offers for their 1st round pick but admits they will "sit back and see what comes towards you."
— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) April 3, 2015
#Knicks' Phil Jackson was asked if he knew who he'd draft in June: "I do." Reading between the lines tonight, sounds like Karl Anthony Towns
— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) April 3, 2015
Karl-Anthony Towns going number 1-3 isn’t a forgone conclusion but the fact the Knicks are intent on keeping the pick is a great sign of things to come. They can always do things with their other ‘assets’ and acquire more picks or younger talent so this shouldn’t be a big issue. Plus, with guys like Towns, Jahlil Okafor and Emmanuel Mudiay leading the crop of talent project to come to New York, there’s no way the Knicks faithful went through a season of losing just to trade the pick away.
The future for the Knicks is becoming a reality and they need to start by giving the fans a quality product.
