The New York Knicks have Marc Gasol as a top free agent target for next summer and this year the team may look at trade deals with Iman Shumpert, Amar'e Stoudemire or Andrea Bargnani, as the team wants to clear out as much space for Phil Jackson as they can so that Carmelo Anthony can get some much needed support next summer in free agency.
According to the NY Post and other media outlets, the Knicks see Gasol as the main target in free agency next summer. The team likes his rebounding skills and he is one of the best defensive players in the league. The Knicks see him as a replacement for Tyson Chandler and a great option for Carmelo Anthony to have working with him in the triangle offense.
Shumpert is a very solid player and the Knicks likely don't want to trade him, but after getting offers in the past, there is a chance that the team could make a move if they get a good enough deal. Jackson wants to make the team better moving forward and with Shumpert heading towards restricted free agency, the team could take a risk and let him hit the market rather than sign him to an extension before the October deadline. The past couple years have not been kind to many restricted free agents and that could be in the minds of the Knicks as they navigate this with Shumpert.
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.
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.
According to Pro Basketball Talk, Phil Jackson likes the makeup of his team and he also praised Iman Shumpert and his defense, saying he is the best player on the ball on the roster right now. ESPN.com and others have suggested that the Knicks may look at trading Shumpert at some point and that comes from the fact that he is headed towards free agency. The Knicks want to keep the cap as open as possible for the next two seasons to build around Carmelo and giving Shumpert an extension could complicate that a bit.
The Knicks won just 37 games last season after winning over 50 the previous year and now they have the chance to rebound and make the playoffs.