The NY Knicks are close on a free agent deal with Robin Lopez after the forward had interest from the LA Lakers in free agency and this comes as players like Tobias Harris, Corey Brewer, Derrick Williams, Lou Williams, Patrick Beverley, Rajon Rondo, Jeremy Lin, David Lee and Jordan Hill are potential targets this summer for Phil Jackson to give Carmelo Anthony some support.
The Knicks have agreed to a free agent deal with Arron Afflalo and they appear close with Lopez heading out of the first week of free agency. according to ESPN New York, Lopez has a agreed to a deal with the Knicks as long as DeAndre Jordan does not sign with the team, picking New York over the Lakers. The Knicks met with Jordan and he is still debating between the Clippers, Lakers and Dallas Mavericks. Lopez reportedly has "committed" to the Knicks and will sign for a deal over $10 million is Jordan doesn't end up in NY (and no one thinks he will).
Marc Stein reported the news about Lopez and the Jordan stipulation and right now the details about a number on the contract are "unclear." Chris Broussard at ESPN reported on Friday that the Knicks are set to meet with Corey Brewer and Derrick Williams in Los Angeles. Broussard writes that the Knicks have about $10 million left to spend this offseason and they likely will look at "mid-level" free agents if they miss out on LaMarcus Aldridge and Jordan.
Check here for more on the Knicks and NBA free agency. UPDATE: Adrian Wojnarowski reports "the Knicks are finalizing a four-year, $54 million agreement with free agent center Robin Lopez, league sources tell Yahoo Sports." UPDATE: Corey Brewer has agreed with the Rockets. UPDATE: Derrick Williams agrees to two-year, $10 million deal with Knicks. UPDATE: Lou Williams is going to the Lakers. Kyle O'Quinn has been acquired in a sign and trade.
The Knicks missed out on Greg Monroe to the Milwaukee Bucks and now Lopez could be a consolation up front. The team brought in Afflalo on a two year deal and he is their most notable addition so far this offseason along with Kristaps Porzingis from the draft. The team also added Jerian Grant and David Aldridge of NBA.com made a funny/interesting point on Twitter, saying if a "generic" NBA team adding Porzigis, Afflalo, Grant and Robin Lopez, it "would be considered a very good offseason."
Jackson is still working on making deals and he reportedly is interested in Corey Brewer, Derrick Williams, Patrick Beverley and Jeremy Lin, according to Broussard. Beverley is getting a hard push from the Kings, Mavericks and Rockets (who can match offers), while Lin also has interest from Sacramento and Dallas. Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle reports that the Mavericks, Kings and Knicks all are interested in Beverley, while Sacramento is "making a push" for Rondo.
Players like Brewer and Williams are targets for other teams on the market like the Lakers and Kings, while Lou Williams reportedly is in the mix for Sacramento. The Kings just cleared a bunch of cap space in a trade with the Sixers and if they miss out on more free agents like Wes Matthews, they could splash money at Beverley, Rondo or Williams. Tobias Harris remains on the market and could be an option for the Knicks and Lakers, as he is not expected to have his deal matched by the Orlando Magic. The Lopez deal is important for the Knicks, as they missed out on Greg Monroe and don't appear to be in the mix for Aldridge.