The New York Knicks will need to make more improvements this offseason as they failed to make the playoffs again.
Only now, they have to do it without the benefit of a first round draft pick.
The 2015-16 season's ray of light came from Kristaps Porzingis who the Knicks took with the 4th overall pick. Phil Jackson was lauded for his choice as the young Latvian was probably the second best player chosen this year.
This summer, the Knicks will have to concentrate on the free agent market and the NY Post writer Marc Berman gives his lowdown on three big names that were once linked with the Big Apple and who should the Knicks actually pursue.
Dwight Howard is a center on the decline and yet he has declared that he plans to opt out of his contract and pursue a max deal. That would be challenging, and he has already been linked to the Knicks, with the common impression that Madison Square Garden is anxious to add a big name-even if it is Dwight Howard.
In an ESPN piece by Ian Begley, he noted this interesting tidbit that, citing league sources, "some of Howard's friends have let it be known recently that the center would be interested in coming to New York as a free agent if he opts out of his current contract. Whether Jackson and the Knicks would be interested in a player like Howard is another question entirely."
However, he was not so optimistic on whether the Knicks are interested in Howard, and Berman flat out dismisses it by saying that "they have someone who fits better in the triangle in Robin Lopez." RoLo is signed long-term and Howard, at this stage of his career is not much of an upgrade.
Berman also gave his two cents on Kevin Durant, which cited that the Knicks firing former KD teammate Derek Fisher as a major point against them. He does note that Durant's father is a "diehard Knicks fan" and that New York is closer to Washington DC. Then again, Washington has its own NBA team. Berman predicts the Knicks will get a meeting, but that's about it.
DeMar DeRozan is another intriguing prospect and if Toronto slides in the first round, DD might look around. However, if DeRozan does leave the Raptors, it's almost certain he'd sign with the Lakers.
So who should the Knicks target? Jackson is said to be eyeing Evan Turner of the Boston Celtics. As the triangle does not require a textbook point guard (the Chicago Bulls used Pippen to play the point) a player like Turner who could cover the 1, 2 or 3 position is favorable to the Zen Master.
Nic Batum of the Charlotte Hornets would be an ideal second scorer beside Carmelo Anthony. Batum could slide down as the shooting guard and the Knicks also play a small ball version with Melo at the four spot. Despite his success in Charlotte, Batum is not seen as a lock in the Hornet's nest.