The NY Knicks kept Carmelo Anthony in free agency this summer and that was step one and now names like Marc Gasol, Greg Monroe and Rajon Rondo could be potential targets and this comes as the Knicks may trade Iman Shumpert or Amar'e Stoudemire this year as they try and get the cap number down and part of that is keeping young players like Travis Wear, who made the roster after performing well this summer.
The Knicks were rumored to be interested in Marc Gasol next summer, as they also chased his brother this year and now that has been confirmed by Ronald Tillery at the Commercial Appeal. The NY Post had already reported on that, but this report goes a bit further, saying that the Knicks see pairing Carmelo and Gasol as a way to build a championship roster and that Gasol would be perfect in the triangle offense. Phil Jackson loves players that play hard and Gasol is one of those and he also happens to be one of the best defensive players in the league.
The Knicks got rid of Tyson Chandler this summer and they need someone to step into that void and next year it could be Gasol. The free agent to be did not give any hints about what he is thinking and he said that he will really consider what happens in free agency once next summer hits rather than right now. Gasol has been very successful in Memphis and now he could turn that into a massive deal with a team like the Knicks, who should have cap money to spend after Stoudemire and others are off the books.
Gasol would be a huge upgrade over what the team has now and they also could look at Greg Monroe if Gasol signs elsewhere. The team likely also will check in on Rajon Rondo if he makes it onto the market, but right now Gasol is the top target. According to Pro Basketball Talk, the team is also keeping Travis Wear on the roster over Travis Outlaw. The team liked how Wear played this summer and now he has a spot on the roster for the team and they will waive Travis Outlaw.
The Knicks would have went after Kevin Love this coming summer if he was on the market, but now he clearly is happy in Cleveland and should be staying there for the near future. Many teams hoped to get their hands on Love and while there is still a chance he hits free agency after next season, it is not looking very likely. The Cavs traded away top picks for him and they will want him to sign an extension.
Love has an opt out next summer and if he doesn't sign an extension with the Cavs, chances are he will play out his deal and then hit free agency after the next season. The Cavs may not be happy about that, but Love deserves to hit the market if he wants to and if the team wins a championship, most people in Cleveland likely won't care if he does that. LeBron is coming home and now it looks like Love will be following him there. The Knicks will be on it if he takes that route.