Nicolas Batum and Bradley Beal (Photo : NBAE via Getty Images)
The New York Knicks may not be in play to sign a point guard this summer, but rather chase some of the names in this year's free agency class.
Contrary to what the obvious is that the Knicks need a talented point guard to run their offense and maximize other players' potentials, New York could be leaning in joining the trend of pursuing stars in July, according to Marc Berman of the New York Post.
"Jackson appears to be leaning at better value in adding a pair of athletic, versatile shooting guard/swingman along the lines of DeMar DeRozan, Evan Turner, Kent Bazemore, Nicolas Batum or Bradley Beal instead of a true point guard," Berman wrote.
The Knicks have been linked to top PG free agents like Rajon Rondo and Mike Conley after a dismal season that exposed their flaw at the position. But with the Knicks seem to take the triangle offense seriously following Phil Jackson's mini seminar last week, there is not much need for the team to acquire a traditional point guard.
"Chasing a point guard, where it becomes just an obsession, isn't necessary. It's not necessary. We can play the game without that," Jackson said.
Among the aforementioned free agents, Batum and Beal seem the ideal pieces for the Knicks' triangle offense, with both players not requiring much to have the ball in their hands to play effectively.
Between the two, Batum would be the more realistic target, with the Frenchman heading into the summer as an unrestricted free agent. But if the Wizards decide to not keep Beal, the Knicks would have a better chance at signing the 22-year-old shooting guard.
According to Stefan Bondy of the New York Daily News, there is uncertainty in Beal's future with the Wizards, and Washington could decide against matching a max offer to the shooting guard.
"The expectation is still that Beal returns, but the Wizards may decide against matching a max offer," Bondy wrote.
The Knicks could have a fair amount of salary cap space to boost their roster, with the team projected to have a maximum cap room amounting to $30.3 million, according to RealGM.
Batum and Beal should be up for more lucrative deals in the offseason, but not as huge as a max contract. If that happens, the Knicks could readily snag them once the summer market opens, although that could only be possible if Batum and Beal have the interests to play at the Big Apple.
