Desperate times call for desperate measures and Phil Jackson is fully aware that time is of the essences with the New York Knicks. The team president has fully admitted this year did not go as planned and believes the time is now to rebuild the franchise back into winning form. Jackson plans on approaching that from every angle which could include a trade of the top five draft pick.
Jackson spoke on the state of franchise as the team wrapped up everything from the 2014-15 season. He admitted that the time is now to get the Knicks back into form. the estimated $30 million in salary cap space will certainly help that effort as would the top five draft pick. According to Marc Berman of theNew York Post, the Knicks are very open the idea of trading that pick for the right deal.
"In the present day in the NBA, 19-, 20-year-olds, coming into the league, it's really hard to project what that player will be like in his first contract situation,'' Jackson said, via the New York Post. "We know what the first-round pick will mean to us, but we also know we will build the team on free agents. We have 190 players or so who will be free agents. That's where our priority stands.''
ESPN.com believes Kevin Durant could be an option with that deal. The Oklahoma City Thunder are going through changes and he is entering the final year of his contract. Other trade options could be DeMarcus Cousins or Brandon Jennings. Much of these trades could be explored if the Knicks feel other players are not going to be an option. Rajon Rondo, Greg Monroe and LaMarcus Aldridge will be at the top of every team's list meaning competition will be high to acquire them. The Knicks could easily miss out if the right deal is not offered.
When discussing the top five pick, Jackson hinted that a defender might be the favored player to get. The team president noted that the Knicks missed a top defensive body like Tyson Chandler and could chase players like Jhalil Okafor or Karl-Anthony Towns with that draft pick if it is not traded. Both would come in and potentially play alongside Andrea Bargnani who is an option to return.
The Knicks must build around Carmelo Anthony. According to Marc Stein of ESPN.com, Jackson is hopeful that Anthony's star power is enough to get the Knicks a couple big names in the offseason. He knows another disappointing season will not be tolerated in New York.