The New York Knicks continue to add names to their free agency wish list as the team prepares to have an abundance of salary cap space to work with in the upcoming offseason. The Knicks are going to need size added to their roster once players like Andrea Bargnani and Amar'e Stoudemire make their departures in free agency and Phil Jackson and company have some of the best players on their brains to fill the spots.
According to the New York Post, Paul Millsap is expected to be a target for the Knicks in free agency. The power forward was in town with the Atlanta Hawks took on the New York Knicks in the second game of a two-game series and told the Post that he is friends with a lot of people in the organization including head coach Derek Fisher and would consider a reunion in free agency.
"I know Fish. I played with Fisher for a year. He's always been a good friend for me - not surprised at all he's coaching. A great guy, always been a great locker-room guy. Knows the game well. I knew it would happen at some point," Millsap said.
Millsap will be a free agent in the offseason and the Hawks have already expressed their interest in retaining the power forward for the long-term, but the forward's relationship with Fisher could be something that derails Atlanta's plans. Millsap is fresh off a season when he made his first All-Star team and would fill a need for the Knick well. However, the forward will not be a target before players like LaMarcus Aldridge or even Marc Gasol who are also on the Knicks' wish list.
Could Kawhi Leonard be an option for New York? The small forward is approaching free agency as well after the San Antonio Spurs failed to negotiate an extension. Leonard has expressed his desire to remain with the Spurs, but also wants to get a nice pay check in free agency which the Knicks might be willing to hand over.
"I was never upset about (the extension)," Leonard said via Sam Amick of the USA Today. "I mean they explained to me what their deal is and why they didn't do it yet. That'll play out. I'm just here to play basketball and have fun and try to win another championship. If I think about that, then I'm not going to be the same player that I am and will be just out of it. I don't think I'm going anywhere. I mean they love me here."
Leonard is certainly a long-shot as is Aldridge who is expected to be pursued heavily by Portland to stay. Gasol could be the man that gets the contract, but fans should not rule out interest in Millsap.