The New York Knicks are heading into a big summer after winning the division for the first time in years and after losing in the playoffs to the Indiana Pacers, the franchise is looking to make some changes to try and challenge the Heat next season in the East.
Star Carmelo Anthony needs more talent around him and with the team picking number 24 in the draft they should be able to get someone solid. Fans are hoping the team will go after Chris Paul as a free agent, but all signs so far point to him coming back to the Clippers next season on a long term deal. The Knicks also would need to free up cap space to do it, as they have Anthony and Amare Stoudemire on the books.
According to ESPN.com, the Knicks may have $82 million tied up for next season and now that the Clippers have brought in Doc Rivers, it is even more likely that Paul will stay. The clippers can offer him $30 million more than the Knicks and despite a joke a few years ago at Anthony's wedding, a new big three in NY is unlikely. The Knicks would have to get under $75.5 million for a sign and trade to work and with Rivers coming to LA, Paul switching coasts is not very likely.
The team would need to deal both Stoudemire and Raymond Felton to get under that number and there is a chance that Tyson Chandler could be the one to move, but the Knicks likely would want to keep him. Chandler is the biggest trade chip the Knicks have but without him on the team, adding Paul would only do so much. The Knicks thought that they would add one of the premiere free agents when LeBron James was looking and while they got Stoudemire, now they are behind the Heat and will need to make moves to get ahead in the East.
The Knicks have the number 24 pick in the first round and while they have some solid options, reports say their best targets are Shane Larkin, Ricky Ledo, Jeff Withey and Allen Crabbe, who all should be available at the end of the round. Larkin was dynamic this season in Miami and he could be a good fit in NY as he has a good shot and solid passing abilities. Point guard is a need for the team and they also could go after some size depending on what is done with Chandler, making Withey an interesting option, but the Nets also like him and could take him as well. Some mocks also have them taking center Rudy Gobert from France, as his size is massive and he could be a young, shot blocking and rebounding force for years to come behind Chandler.
