The New York Knicks are expected to be an active team in free agency this summer and free agent players like Greg Monroe, Tobias Harris, Danny Green, Arron Afflalo, David West, Iman Shumpert and Rajon Rondo are potential targets to join Carmelo Anthony in the Big Apple after the team brought in Jerian Grant and Kristaps Porzingis in the draft.
The Knicks are projected to have over $21 million in cap space this summer and that gives Jackson some flexibility in going after free agent players. Anthony was reportedly upset with the Knicks drafting Porzingis, as he is not expected to contribute for at least a couple years. Anthony later came out to social media to refute that report, but either way, the Knicks are expected to be aggressive in free agency after taking Porzingis, as they want to keep Anthony happy.
The team broke down the roster for this exact reason and now Jackson has the chance to spend. Greg Monroe has long been considered a top target for the Knicks and heading into free agency they are considered the favorites to get him, according to ESPN New York. Chris Broussard at ESPN reports that the team is setting meetings with LaMarcus Aldridge and DeAndre Jordan for later this week in LA. Broussard also reports that Anthony has "reached out" to DeAndre Jordan, Aldridge, Monroe and Arron Afflalo already this offseason.
The Knicks plan to contend in the next couple years hinges on the team adding two or three significant free agents and that makes this week very important for Phil Jackson. If the Knicks miss out on big players like Aldridge, Jordan and Marc Gasol (which is expected) the team needs to ensure they sign someone like Greg Monroe or Arron Afflalo just to ensure they get some solid free agents for Anthony. While it may not mean a championship team, it could help the Knicks contend for a playoff spot in the eastern conference.
According to Yahoo Sports, Adrian Wojnarowski reports that the Knicks are the front runners for Arron Afflalo and Greg Monroe in free agency this summer. Monroe is likely to leave Detroit after finishing out his contract, while Afflalo was with the Blazers after being traded at the deadline and he is not expected to return. Afflalo averaged 13 points this season and he could be a solid mid-level option for the Knicks as a rotation player. Wojnarowski writes that Afflalo could get a deal for three years and around $35 million this offseason.
Wesley Matthews is another option for the Knicks, but Pro Basketball Talk reports that his money likely will not line up with what the Knicks are trying to do. Two players to watch are local products, as the NY Post reports that Tobias Harris and Danny Green could be options for the Knicks after playing basketball on Long Island on their way to the NBA. According to Marc Berman, both Harris and Green could be in play for the Knicks, as Harris came out of Dix Hills, while Green is from North Babylon. Berman writes that Green has the Knicks "high on his list" and that Harris could be tougher since he is restricted.
