The New York Knicks are currently in the middle of a six-game losing streak and frustration is beginning to mount as the season outlook is getting grim. Things spilled over on Wednesday night when JR Smith opted to take a 27-foot 3-point shot at the buzzer over giving the ball to Carmelo Anthony in crunch time. The result was a loss and fans scratching their heads hoping Phil Jackson and company have the bigger picture in mind. They do and the free agency wish list proves it.
The Knicks have a lot of contracts to deal with in the upcoming offseason. They have already denied Iman Shumpert's team option while also having Amar'e Stoudemire and Andrea Bargnani in their final years of their current contracts. With trades looking less and less likely at this point, the Knicks will make their move in free agency which could include the return of at least one of those three players.
The chances that Shumpert returns are slim to none. The New York Post reported that while Jackson has been complimentary for the shooting guard in the press, he is not looking at the young player for the long term. That was confirmed true when the Knicks decided not to pick up the option in his contract. So what happens to Stoudemire and Bargnani who hold two of the biggest contracts on the team's payroll right now?
Bleacher Report is reporting that the Knicks are not expected to trade either forward. So far, keeping Stoudemire on the roster is paying off. The forward is looking dominant on the court to start the season, working well with players like Shumpert and Samuel Dalembert. That will certainly help his stock for the upcoming free agency run. There is a chance that the Knicks opt to retain Stoudemire if he is willing to accept a much smaller deal. The forward is not the player he once was when he first signed with the Knicks as injuries have hurt his status. However, if Stoudemire is willing to take a pay cut, New York could continue to be in his future.
Bargnani has yet to be seen on the court, dealing with a hamstring injury that has delayed his 2014 season. That is not going to help his stock with the team. Right now, Dalembert is excelling in his spot, making Bargnani expendable. When healthy, Bargnani has value and could be the better trade target come the mid-season deadline.
The Knicks will first reach out to the top players on their wishlist. According to ESPNNewYork.com, that includes players like Paul Millsap, Marc Gasol and LaMarcus Aldridge. If those endeavors fail, then Jackson could switch his focus back to Stoudemire and Dalembert for future deals.
