The NY Knicks may look at free agent targets like Arron Afflalo, Tobias Harris, Robin Lopez, Greg Monroe, Jeremy Lin, Patrick Beverley and David West on the market this summer, as big names like DeAndre Jordan and LaMarcus Aldridge are likely to sign elsewhere and this comes as Phil Jackson is trying to put some major talent around Carmelo Anthony.
The Knicks set meetings with Greg Monroe, LaMarcus Aldridge and DeAndre Jordan early in free agency, according to media reports. Marc Berman of the New York Post reported that the team met with Monroe in Washington DC on the first day of free agency and that after that they are set to meet with Aldridge and Jordan. Aldridge has met with the Lakers and Spurs and it looks like San Antonio is the team to beat when it comes to getting his services.
UPDATE: Arron Afflalo has agreed to a deal with the Knicks. UPDATE: Greg Monroe has agreed to a deal with the Milwaukee Bucks. UPDATE: Robin Lopez is considering a deal with the Knicks, Lakers are also in contention. Lopez reportedly will sign with the team if DeAndre Jordan signs elsewhere.
The Knicks are very interested in Aldridge and Jordan, but as things stand now, it's unlikely either player comes to NYC. Jordan reportedly is deciding between the Clippers and the Dallas Mavericks, while Aldridge is getting wooed by the Blazers, Suns and Houston Rockets along with the Spurs. According to Berman, the Knicks met with Monroe with a group that included "Phil Jackson, general manager Steve Mills, coach Derek Fisher and vice president of operations Jamie Matthews." Monroe reportedly is the top target for the Knicks and Frank Isola reports they are the "favorites" to sign Monroe.
The Knicks are reportedly in the mix for Arron Afflalo as well and according to Adrian Wojnarowski at Yahoo Sports, the team is the "most likely" option for Afflalo. Wojnarowski reports that Afflalo could get a three year deal worth over $34 million on the market. Afflalo is a target with DeMarre Carroll and Danny Green off the market after agreeing to deals.
The team was reportedly in the mix for Green since he is from Long Island, but he signed back with the Spurs in free agency. Tobias Harris is another option, as he is not expected to return to the Orlando Magic as a restricted free agent. Marc Stein reports that the Knicks are in the mix for Harris with the Lakers and he later reported that the team plans on meeting with Robin Lopez after Aldridge. Harris is a target for the Bucks and the Celtics and if the Knicks miss out on the top free agents, he likely will be in the mix.
According to ESPN.com, Harris could get between $14 million and $16 million per season and he comes in after averaging 17.1 points and 6.3 rebounds. The Lakers likely will be aggressive after they did not get the chance to get Jimmy Butler and it appears that they are out of the mix for LaMarcus Aldridge now as well. Harris could be an option for the Lakers to put alongside Kobe Bryant.
The Knicks drafted Kristaps Porzingis and acquired Jerian Grant at the NBA draft and while those players will need time to develop, they can help contribute this season. Porzingis needs a few years to develop into a starter, but both Porzingis and Grant should get the chance to be rotation options at the end of the bench. Anthony was reportedly upset with the Knicks for taking Porzingis, as he needs time to get his game to the NBA level, but he later came out and disputed those reports.
