The New York Knicks entered the offseason with the priority of getting an elite center to anchor the defense. They were linked to several players in the NBA Draft with the No.4 pick including a number of trades. However, they drafted Kristaps Porzingis who may or many not be ready to start immediately. Now that are missing out on several Plan A free agents and forced to look elsewhere.
Greg Monroe was a top priority for the Knicks and instead he opted to take a max contract with the Milwaukee Bucks. So where does that leave the Knicks? According to ESPN's Ian Begley, the Knicks are planning on chasing Robin Lopez in hopes of getting a deal done quickly. Sources are reporting there is mutual interest between the two parties and a contract is expected to be offered soon. Lopez and the Knicks have agreed to a conditional contract according to Begley. The former Portland Trail Blazers star is waiting to see exactly where DeAndre Jordan signs before making a decision.
The Knicks have $19 million to spend in free agency following the contract to Monta Ellis. That should be more than enough to acquire Lopez. New York is reportedly still scheduled to meet with DeAndre Jordan and LaMarcus Aldridge, but they are not the heavy favorites to acquire either player. Begley reported that Carmelo Anthony has made recruiting calls to the players, but New York is a long shot.
New York could look to make a trade for a center. According to the Indianapolis Star, Roy Hibbert is available in deals and the Knicks are interested. The Indiana Pacers are aiming to build around Paul George and see Hibbert as a hinderance to that effort. Any NBA team that misses out on Jordan or Lopez will be gunning for Hibbert which might make him expensive. The Knicks lack assets to give up which could hurt the deal.
If the Knicks were to miss out on those options, David Lee is reportedly in the picture. According to SNY.tv the Knicks have a moderate interest level in Lee and could look his way should they run out of other options. That is not thrilling to the fanbase. Lee is an offensive-minded power forward like Lopez and might be a good fit for the Knicks, but he is their last option. Acquiring Lee is low risk for the Knicks. There are no serious repercussions with making the deal which would be cheap.
New York could also consider making the move to bring back Andrea Bargnani. The forward told the media earlier in the offseason that he was interested in coming back to New York and Begley originally reported the feeling was mutual. News around Bargnani has been quiet and New York could get him on a cheaper contract than he originally had.
