The New York Knicks' expectations for the 2014 season are relatively low despite getting Carmelo Anthony to re-sign in free agency. With limited cash, the team was not able to make huge upgrades to the roster, although Jose Calderon is expected to make an impact immediately. With trades their only option, Phil Jackson is hoping to make a few more deals in the offseason while utilizing their youth for depth off the bench.
With players like Iman Shumpert, Amar'e Stoudemire and JR Smith being shopped in trades, the development of rookie Cleanthony Early will be crucial. The forward was Jackson's first draft pick in his tenure with the Knicks and the expectations to perform immediately are very high. Jackson liked what he saw in Early and believes that he will be the permanent backup for Anthony if certain trades are made.
Hoops Rumors writer Chuck Myron reports that Early is expected to come off the bench for Anthony this upcoming season. Jackson is looking to acquire a veteran for that job, but that is not going well for the team, so the pressure is on Early to take over the spot. Many NBA draft analysts believe that Early could be the steal of this year's draft class. Working under head coach Derek Fisher and Jackson is expected to do wonders for the rookie and watching Anthony's every move could turn him into a talented prospect to develop. Early is confident he can handle the job.
"Melo is a small forward, he can play the power forward, I'm a small forward, and I think I can play a little power forward," Early said, via the New York Post. "I'll be backing him up, so as far as my role it's Melo's backup. ... How many minutes I get depends on how much I produce and how well I do, so that's all on me."
The Knicks are still holding out hope that they can acquire at least one more veteran should Early struggle at the start of the year. Shumpert, Smith and Stoudemire continue to be shopped around to teams, but so far there are no takers. It is unclear exactly what the Knicks are asking for in return, but the three players do not have the value New York was hoping for. Shumpert had been shopped around for the better part of a year with two separate deals coming close to being finalized, but now he is not getting the same attention. The same goes for Smith who's immaturity has overshadowed his worth on the court. Stoudemire's injury history has dropped is stock dramatically.
Jackson has faith in Early. The second-round pick was a standout in college on a team that became the Cinderella story of the NCAA tournament. If Early can impress Jackson, he will have a permanent role as a sixth man.