Former Blazer Arron Afflalo (#4) (Photo : Reuters)
Phil Jackson and the New York Knicks are only making small waves in free agency this summer after signing former Portland Trailblazers wingman Arron Afflalo to a two-year, $16 million deal, according to Yahoo Sports' Brian Mahoney.
Versatile at 6-foot-5 and with long arms, Afflalo can play both the nos. 2 and 3 positions and is a defensive asset on the floor. He is also a mid-range shooter that can thrive well in Derek Fisher's triangle offense. The former UCLA Bruin is also decent from long distance, shooting at a respectable 38.5 percent, although it is not that needed in the triangle.
Afflalo is also in good terms with superstar Carmelo Anthony, who was his teammate at Denver.
Speculations abound that Jackson's next target is center Robin Lopez, another former Blazer.
The 27-year-old seven-footer is the kind of defender, rebounder, and passing big man that Fisher needs to make his triangle work. The Knicks have reportedly missed Greg Monroe this summer, but Lopez is certainly not a bad plan B.
In fact, the deal is almost done, as per ESPN. However, Lopez said that he would only sign with New York if DeAndre Jordan would not be there.
Obviously, Lopez does not want to be relegated to a backup role, and that would certainly happen with Jordan in the lineup.
The Clippers' center is currently being strongly pursued by the Los Angeles Lakers and Dallas Mavericks aside from the Knicks.
Jackson had openly said that he would try to rebuild the Knicks by acquiring big-name free agents, but so far have not been able to do it.
