The NY Knicks started the season with a bad loss against the Bulls after debuting the triangle offense with Carmelo Anthony and Derek Fisher leading the way and Phil Jackson may consider trade deals at the deadline to strengthen the roster and clear cap space, as names like Iman Shumpert, Amar'e Stoudemire, Andrea Bargnani, JR Smith or Pablo Prigioni could be on the trade block by the NBA trading deadline.
The Knicks are starting the season against the Chicago Bulls and while the triangle offense likely needs some getting used to, this will be their first chance in real game action. The preseason was mixed and now the team starts off with a big matchup against the Bulls and Derrick Rose. The Knicks feel they should be a playoff team this season and it comes after they won just 37 games last season in a bad eastern conference. Anthony signed a five year deal and he is in with Fisher and Jackson as they try and build the franchise back.
Iman Shumpert is a player to watch this season, as the Knicks are hoping that he develops into a prime player and he comes in eligible for a contract extension. The Knicks had offers last season for Shumpert and did not trade him and while Phil Jackson likes what he brings to the table, the team could consider deals this season. Ian Begley at ESPN.com reported that the two sides did not talk about a contract extension for the young star and that could lead to a deal down the line.
The Knicks want to keep as much cap space as possible for next year, as they are hoping to lure some free agents. Names like Marc Gasol, Rajon Rondo and Greg Monroe all potentially could be on the market and the Knicks want as much flexibility as possible. Shumpert could hit the market as a restricted free agent if he is not traded and a dream scenario for the Knicks would be to sign a free agent that's a big name and then bring back Shumpert on a deal.
Shumpert has not developed an offensive game like the Knicks have wanted him to, but he has become an ace defensive player and that is one reason why they should consider keeping him. The Knicks made a trade this summer with the Mavs for Samuel Dalembert and Jose Calderon and that should help defensively in the middle after Tyson Chandler had a down year in 2013-14. Shumpert can help with the defense on the wing and he has shown he can handle one on one situations.
The Knicks reportedly are planning on going after Marc Gasol in free agency next summer and they also may look at Greg Monroe and Rajon Rondo as targets. The team is going to have a ton of cap space with Amar'e Stoudemire and Bargnani off the books and that gives Jackson some solid space to work with. Jackson is looking to add another All-Star player with Anthony and getting Gasol would mean getting one of the best defensive players in the NBA. The Knicks start the season with the Bulls and Cavaliers and those will be strong tests for the team.
