The New York Knicks quest for a point guard is one of the interesting storylines in NBA Free Agency.
The Big Apple is no longer the basketball Mecca that it used to be and that seems to be reflected in the way the Knicks have struck out on the big names in the last free agency derby.
While they still have Carmelo Anthony and rookie sensation Kristaps Porzingis, the Knicks still need to get a star to get back into playoff contention. One of the major holes they need to fill is at the point guard position. New coach Jeff Hornacek admitted this much in a press conference. (quoted by NY Post)
"We have a young player that's obviously inexperienced after his first year," Hornacek said, assessing their point guard situation. "He'll get better and better. "Jose is kind of later in his career. If we can find a middle guy to bridge those two guys, it would be good. There's a lot of guys out there. I'm sure Phil [Jackson, team president] and Steve [Mills, general manager] are looking at everything."
The former Phoenix Suns coach has experience in playing multiple point guards at a time, and he gets very specific on the playmaker that he wants.
"If there's something out there in free agency to bring in that guy, in between, that can help guide the younger guard and assist the older point guard, that would make the team better,'' Hornacek added.
The ideal candidate is Mike Conley, but the latest predictions do not see him moving to the East coach. The Memphis Grizzlies hired a new coach, too in what was seen as an effort to keep him. If he does leave, the San Antonio Spurs appear to be his destination.
New York has other options and it might actually be the point guard that star player Carmelo Anthony requested. Rajon Rondo seems intent on leaving the Sacramento Kings, based on his statements shared by ESPN.
"There were too many distractions on and off the court," Rondo shared. "The organization as a whole, I don't think was together completely. I think as a team you have to want the best for the next man beside you, and that wasn't the case with the Sacramento Kings."
Rondo added to drive his point home: "Too much tension. I've never witnessed or experienced a thing like that in my 10-year career."
The Knicks are expected to go hard after Rondo when Conley does not choose them. Because of the tension and history, Jeremy Lin would probably not consider a return to Madison Square Garden. Brandon Jennings may be the only starting grade point guard on the market apart from those three. Thus, the Knicks have the most compelling reason to chase Rondo who seems to perform better when he's on the big stage.