The New York Knicks may target free agent players like Alan Anderson, Marcus Thornton, Alexey Shved, JaVale McGee, Aaron Brooks, Ander Miller and Jameer Nelson on the market after bringing in Robin Lopez, Arron Afflalo, Derrick Williams and Kyle O'Quinn in deals and this comes as Andrea Bargnani could be an option to return in free agency for Phil Jackson this summer.
The Knicks are whittling down their cap space by bringing in players, but they still have room to make other moves. According to Ian Begley at ESPN, the Knicks likely will look for another guard option for depth on the roster along with more help up front. Begley writes that the Knicks could consider a Jose Calderon trade at some point this season with Jerian Grant coming in and that could lead the team to add a backup point guard.
Calderon played well while healthy, but he dealt with injuries last season and even with Langston Galloway also on the team, Jackson may want some veteran help in front of Grant. Shved spent time with the team last year and was solid, while players like Miller, Nelson and Norris Cole could get cheaper as free agency moves along. The team also could consider Aaron Brooks, as he is a free agent after playing with the Bulls last season. UPDATE: Alan Anderson has signed with the Wizards. Brooks has signed with the Bulls.
Check here for more on the Knicks offseason moves and potential targets from CBS.
Bargnani is a candidate to return, as the Knicks could be open to signing him back after giving up draft picks to trade for him a couple years ago. Bargnani only played in 29 games this season, but he played well with 14 points and four rebounds per game while shooting over 45 percent from the field. Bargnani said in an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport that he is "happy with the Knicks" and that he is "hopeful" for a return to New York.
CBS Sports liested the best free agents left on the market and Alan Anderson, Marcus Thornton and JaVale McGee were put down as potential options for the Knicks. According to CBS, Anderson is a "good fit" for the Knicks, as he could play "behind" and "with" Arron Afflalo and he is an "ideal fit" in the triangle offense. Anderson is getting up there in age, but he shot over 35 percent from long range last season and could be a solid option for the Knicks.
CBS lists Thornton as an option for the Knicks for "depth", while Aaron Brooks is also considered a player that could be a fit for New York. Last season Brooks played behind Derrick Rose and he has shown that he can be a solid second-line point guard. McGee has had interest from the Clippers and with the Knicks signing Robin Lopez, it's unlikely they will bring in McGee. Grant is expected to play in the summer league, while Porzingis could be out to start with a hip injury.
David Aldridge took to Twitter to heap some praise on the Knicks for the moves they have made this offseason, saying they have had a "very good offseason" so far. Aldridge pointed out that if a "generic" NBA team made the moves the team did with Lopez, Afflalo and Derrick Williams while also bringing in Kristaps Porzingis and Jerian Grant, people in the media would be praising that offseason. While Aldridge didn't say the Knicks will make the playoffs, they should be much better with the additions they have made.
