The NY Knicks signed back Carmelo Anthony and as Phil Jackson builds back the team, trades could be looked at with Eric Bledsoe or Greg Monroe in the future if Iman Shumpert, Pablo Prigioni, Amar'e Stoudemire, Andrea Bargnani or JR Smith are traded this season over names like Tim Hardaway and Shane Larkin, as the franchise will have money to spend next summer in free agency and that could be huge as Derek Fisher takes over as head coach.
The Knicks are coming into this season with high expectations, but also realistic ones, as Carmelo Anthony has said that the team likely will not win a championship this season. The team missed the playoffs last year and looked terrible for most of the season and that is why Phil Jackson was brought in to take over. According to ESPN.com and the NY Post, the Knicks may look at Marc Gasol and Rajon Rondo as free agent options next year and they also could target Bledsoe or Monroe if they sign qualifying offers and become unrestricted next summer.
The Knicks have been working trades this offseason and the team has more moves they can make after already moving Tyson Chandler and Raymond Felton. ESPN.com reported that the team was considering a deal with the Sixers for Amar'e Stoudemire that could take place later in the season and they also have spoken about trading Iman Shumpert, JR Smith or Pablo Prigioni. The team has a bit of a traffic jam at the guard position and Jackson may look at some trades to break that up.
The team did the same with the frontcourt, as they now have Cole Aldrich, Jason Smith and Samuel Dalembert and did not need Jeremy Tyler. The team traded Tyler and Wayne Ellington to the Sacramento Kings and they received Travis Outlaw and Quincy Acy in return, giving the team more flexibility up front.
According to ESPN.com, the Knicks have signed Cleanthony Early and the contract is likely a two year deal, as the Knicks only have so much space and 2nd round picks can sign certain types of deals. Early has immense talent and the Knicks have high hopes for him after playing at Wichita State and he could be a backup to Anthony this season in the rotation. Early was a solid draft pick and he should be a contributor to the team this season off the bench and that could be big for Melo, as the team now has Early and Travis Outlaw to help with his minutes.
ESPN.com has also reported this offseason that the team could be willing to trade Shumpert and Smith, while Stoudemire could also get moved if the team can find someone to take on his massive contract. The point guard position has Jose Calderon taking over for Raymond Felton and there is a chance the team trades Larkin at some point to help with the guard logjam. The Knicks have the chance to be much better next season and they have made some solid additions to the team and Anthony should be able to get them to the playoffs.
