The New York Knicks are looking to fill out their roster as they try to build a championship team around star Carmelo Anthony and after showing some interest in Ivan Johnson, Tyrus Thomas and other names, the team is targeting Iranian center Hamed Haddadi as a possible backup option for Tyson Chandler.
According to the NY Daily News, Haddadi is meeting with the team and could be signed to fill out the roster as a free agent. The Knicks have already signed Kenyon Martin, Metta World Peace, Pablo Prigioni and JR Smith in the offseason and they have been rumored to be interested in Tyrus Thomas, Ivan Johnson as well as Lou Amundson among other low-key free agent players. The Knicks like the style of play from Haddadi and they were impressed that he won the MVP at the FIBA Asia Championships in the Philippines.
The Knicks would like to add some frontcourt depth behind Chandler as well as Kenyon Martin and Amar'e Stoudemire and Haddadi fits that bill. The Knicks had him work out for the team and he could be a very solid bench option and backup for the team to have. The team was also interested in Johnson earlier in the offseason, but if they decide to sign Haddadi, that won't happen. According to Pro Basketball Talk, Johnson may end up playing in Italy or China next year after not getting a significant offer in free agency.
Johnson played last season with the Hawks and his agent said that he could play overseas on a one-year deal after not getting what he wanted contract-wise from other NBA teams. Johnson played in 69 games last season and averaged 6.6 points per game with 3.9 rebounds and he could have been a nice end of the bench player for the Knicks. The team knows it has to make a nice run since there is always the chance that Melo can leave and adding another solid player off the bench will only help with depth and with an aging team heading down the stretch in the season.
