The NY Knicks are targeting the top free agents this summer and names like Greg Monroe, LaMarcus Aldridge, Rajon Rondo and Goran Dragic are potential options and this comes as the Phil Jackson may also consider a Brandon Jennings trade and bringing back Andrea Bargnani to join Carmelo Anthony next season.
The Knicks are projected to have over $30 million in cap space this offseason and that sets up the team to sign at least one major free agent. The team is heading towards the draft lottery and if Jackson gets one of the top three picks, the Knicks should be satisfied. Rondo and Dragic are considered by most to be the top targets for the Knicks, but Frank Isola of the New York Daily News reports that Greg Monroe could be the number one option.
Isola writes that Jackson covets Monroe heavily and that he will be the first player that the team goes after this summer. Monroe is coming off of a solid season and he has been a consistent player since coming into the league for the Pistons. Monroe could have signed a major extension, but he wanted to hit free agency and now the Knicks can go after him. Isola writes that one league exec thinks the deal is "about as close to a done deal" as there is, although Monroe later came out to deny that completely.
The Knicks need a player like Monroe and with both Marc Gasol and LaMarcus Aldridge hitting the market, the team may feel better about going after Monroe. With Gasol and Aldridge expected to remain with their teams, the Knicks could have more luck with Monroe and according to The Sporting News' Sean Deveney, the Knicks will look at going for the younger players on the market this year, as they would like a sustained run of success over the next few years.
The Knicks could chase after Reggie Jackson, Greg Monroe and Brandon Knight over names like Dragic or Rondo and another option is a trade for Jennings. The Pistons may try and sign back Jackson and if that happens, Jennings likely will be expendable. Dragic is a main option for the Knicks, but he will have the chance to sign a max contract with the Miami Heat and may stay in South Beach after getting traded there this season.
Monroe is going to be a highly coveted player this offseason, as he is coming off of a career year after averaging 16.1 points and 10.5 rebounds. Monroe has also never dealt with any serious injuries in the NBA and that could also get teams like the Rockets, Lakers and Heat involved in the chase. The Knicks are targeting Jahlil Okafor and Karl-Anthony Towns in the upcoming draft with D'Angelo Russell.
The Knicks may also look at bringing back Bargnani, as he could sign on a minimum deal after a strong finish to the season, according to Pro Basketball Talk. Bargnani cost significant draft picks for the Knicks and after averaging 14 points this season in 29 games and shooting over 45 percent, he could be an option to return for Jackson.