Schmeelk: Knicks Have Their Big Man, And Plenty Of Players Are Still Available
By John Schmeelk
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The Knicks have landed their starting center: They just don't know if it is Robin Lopez or DeAndre Jordan.
They have a commitment from Lopez if Jordan doesn't choose the Knicks (and he won't). Since Lopez would cost $7 million less than Jordan, winding up with him might be ideal. This strange alignment works perfectly for the Knicks, as they are guaranteed a defensive-minded big man who fits well next to Carmelo Anthony and is only 27 years old.
Yahoo Sports' Adrian Wojnarowski has reported that the deal will be for $54 million over four years. With the cap exploding over the next two years, a four-year deal is ideal. It solidifies the center position for some time, and for reasonable money under the new sky-high salary cap. The contract could be traded at a later date since it is right at market value and could be below once the cap explodes.
Many Knicks fans are devastated that they didn't wind up with Greg Monroe, who chose the Bucks over the Knicks. I thought Monroe would be their first choice as well, but most reports from respected media outlets (nearly every Knicks beat writer, national reporters and the all-powerful Wojnarowski) say the Knicks never offered the full max. I was surprised to hear that until I remembered Phil Jackson's answer to a question earlier in the year.
At Jackson's townhall meeting with season-ticket holders, he was asked if he would prefer a great passing and scoring big man or someone who is more of a defender. (Note: The question was asked in reference to the draft). This is how he answered:
"Defender. That's a good starting point. A guy like Tyson Chandler and the defensive passion they have to have. (There are) so many screen and rolls, so many three-point shooters. A player of size has to cover and protect the basket but also step out defensively and do defensive work on the extreme part of the floor. It's very important for that player to have defensive capabilities.''
That quote drew applause from Knicks fans and describes Lopez almost to a tee. He doesn't have the post game of Monroe or the passing ability, but he is a far better defender at the rim and against the pick and roll. Monroe next to Melo in the frontcourt on the defensive side would be a real detriment and hard to overcome. Lopez next to Melo, on the other hand, is a good fit and covers for some of the Knicks star's deficiencies.
Since Jeff Van Gundy left at the turn of the century, the Knicks have arguably been the most consistently terrible defensive team in the NBA. For once, the front office has prioritized defense in their free-agency plan over offense. They have decided it is more important to become better on that side of the floor for the first time in more than a decade. There is no better way to build a responsible foundation for a franchise than with defense.
The Lopez signing also leaves the Knicks with anywhere from $6-$7 million to spend on one, or multiple, free agents to fill out the roster. This is how the Knicks' roster stands right now:
PG SG SF PF C
Calderon Afflalo Early Anthony Lopez
Grant Galloway (also PG) Porzingis
The Knicks could also still decide to add Thanasis Antetokounmpo from their D-League roster, or re-sign Travis Wear for what would likely be a veteran's minimum deal.
Depending on their cost, Lance Thomas and either Jason Smith or Alexy Shved could return as well. None of those players move the needle and should be anything more than role players. There's still some question as to whether Anthony will play most of his time at small or power forward. Power forward makes more sense for the team, but Jackson and Fisher have indicated in the past that he will be a small forward. There was no indication that Cleanthony Early was ready to take on a significant role last year.
Some Knicks fans want the team to use the stretch provision on Jose Calderon, but that would create another hole on the roster. The $5 million or so they would save would have to be redirected to getting a replacement point guard. Calderon at $7 million actually isn't that bad of a deal.
No matter where Anthony plays, the Knicks still have a hole at forward -- small or power -- depending on where Anthony plays. If Afflalo is pushed into duty at small forward, then the team needs another shooting guard. The Knicks' next move might give a real clue as to where Anthony will play most of his time moving forward. The preference would be for Anthony to play power forward, so the Knicks should target a small forward or shooting guard to fill that void.
Tobias Harris: Restricted FA who will cost more money than the Knicks have
Alan Anderson: A good defender and improving shooter who can play a nice role for the Knicks
Patrick Beverly: A combo guard who can play off the ball and defend, but lacks size to play SG
Corey Brewer: A good wing defender who can play both ends, and forces turnovers on defense.
Omri Casspi: A decent shooter who fits in at small forward and would be popular in New York.
Caron Butler: He is 35 but can still defend a little bit and shoot it
Wayne Ellington: Good shooter at the two-guard spot
Gerald Green: Athletic wing scorer but struggled with decision-making and defense
Gary Neal: Strictly a shooting guard who can score in bunches, but his field goal percentage has dropped
Marcus Thornton: Good scoring two-guard who can be an offensive spark plug off the bench
Lou Williams: High-scoring volume shooter who doesn't play a lot of defense
If the Knicks decide they are better off getting a power forward or center type, here are their options:
Darrell Arthur: Athletic big that never met his potential
Brandon Bass: Solid player who can rebound, defend a little and hit a mid-range jumper
Dante Cunningham: Offensively gifted big man who can hit the mid-range jumper
Drew Gooden: Journeyman who has reinvented himself as a stretch four
Jordan Hill: Former Knicks draft pick with consistency and effort issues
Kosta Koufos: Might be best center left on the market, but will likely be out of Knicks' price range
Kevin Seraphin: Young big who can still improve at 25 years old; can play center
Jeff Withey: Young center who excels on defense and on the boards; off his rookie contract
The Knicks need to continue to be patient, and figure out which one of these players, or two, they can get at a good bargain price. There are enough guys out there that can still help in a myriad of ways on both ends of the floor. If I had to guess, the Knicks' next move won't come until next week when more of the big names come off the board.
The Knicks are trying to build a foundation moving forward, and they are off to a good start, even if the names aren't the ones that fans were hoping for and were promised. This team is finally going to better defensively, and there's no better cornerstone than that.
You can follow me on Twitter @Schmeelk for everything Knicks, the NBA, the Giants and the world of sports.
