The New York Knicks are deciding just how to go about getting a new point guard for the 2015-16 season. Carmelo Anthony has pinpointed that as a big need for the team after the Jose Calderon experiment failed. With a top four draft pick and enough salary cap space to hand out a max contract the Knicks have options in front of them. However, they could also target a trade to help free up even more space to work with.
According to the New York Post, the Knicks are pushing a trade of Calderon while players like Tim Hardaway Jr might not be safe either. Getting rid of both players would give the Knicks even more space than the almost $35 million they already have to work with this upcoming offseason. A point guard along with a top defender are the two targets for New York so could one of them be acquired in a trade.
With doubt surrounding Rajon Rondo's worth and the potential availability of Goran Dragic, would a player like Ty Lawson be an option? According to Steve Kyler of Basketball Insiders, Lawson is expected to ask for a trade this offseason and the Denver Nuggets will likely pursue it as the team aims to rebuild the roster after a struggling 2014-15 season. The Nuggets pursued trade calls for Lawson during the mid-season trading period, but their asking price was simply too high. Depending on their demands, the Knicks could be a potential landing spot.
The same can be said for Brandon Jennings. The Detroit Free Press reported earlier in the offseason that the Pistons like the idea of re-signing Reggie Jackson which would make Jennings available for the taking. Jennings would be a huge upgrade over Calderon and Langston Galloway. He would also not come cheap, but the Knicks could try and put a package together if they really intend on dropping both Calderon and Hardaway Jr.
ESPN's Chad Ford reported the Knicks are doing scouting on point guards in the draft. Emmanuel Mudiay and D'Angelo Russell are being explored as options. At least one of those players will be available at No. 4. Team president Phil Jackson has also hinted that a defender is a top option, but if Jahlil Okafor and Karl-Anthony Towns are both taken then they must decide if Justise Winslow or Willie Cauley-Stein are worth the high pick.