The New York Knicks have a lot of decisions to make in the upcoming offseason and most begin with evaluating who stays on the original roster and who gets put on the trade block. The Knicks will have around $30 million in salary cap space to work with along with a top five draft pick, but that does not mean everyone on the roster is headed elsewhere. Before making a run at several marquee free agents, who is Phil Jackson eyeing to bring back?
According to Ian Begley of ESPNNewYork.com, Andrea Bargnani stands a good chance at returning next season. The power forward finally began making an impact on the court after having an injury-riddled start to the season and became one of the lone bright spots for what was a dismal year for the Knicks. If Bargnani is willing to agree to a smaller contract, Begley believes the forward will return and the feeling is reportedly mutual.
"I am happy with the Knicks," Bargnani said, via La Gazzetta dello Sport, as translated by Sportando. "I love the city and the organization. There is an important project here. I will consider all the offers I receive from July. I want to remain in the NBA. And I will. I am at the peak of my basketball career and I want to win in the NBA."
The Knicks are eyeing players like LaMarcus Aldridge, Kevin Love and Greg Monroe, but having Bargnani come off the bench in his same role could make a positive impact. Begley writes that Tim Hardaway Jr could have the same fate as Bargnani and be back with the Knicks, but Jose Calderon might not be so lucky. Jackson told ESPN earlier in the season he was disappointed he was not able to trade Calderon at the mid-season deadline. He is expected to be aggressive once again in finding a deal for the veteran.
After Jackson evaluates the roster, the draft will come next. According to Begley, the Knicks are favoring Kentucky center Karl-Anthony Towns over Duke's Jahlil Okafor with their top pick. The Knicks have a 19.9 percent chance of landing the No. 1 overall pick and a 38.7 percent chance of landing a top-two pick. ESPN's Chad Ford has Towns as the No. 1 overall player in this year's draft class which means the Knicks might not land him. Jackson made it clear if the Knicks land a top-four pick then they will use it, but if they do not then he is very comfortable trading for players.