The NY Knicks have Carmelo Anthony back and Phil Jackson still has trade options this season to look at, as names like Amar'e Stoudemire, Andrea Bargnani, Iman Shumpert and Pablo Prigioni could be moved to help clear space in the future and that would set up the team to target players like Marc Gasol, LaMarcus Aldridge or Kenneth Faried in free agency 2015.
The Knicks brought back Anthony on a five year deal and also just pulled off a trade with Wayne Ellington and Jeremy Tyler to break up some logjams in the roster. The team has more moves they can make, as the guard position is fairly full and the team could afford to offload someone like Prigioni, as they now have Shane Larkin as a backup for Jose Calderon after the Tyson Chandler trade that also had Raymond Felton.
The Knicks reportedly are willing to trade Shumpert and JR Smith, as they have a glut of players at guard and the team is also shopping Pablo Prigioni. The team would like to open up some space in the roster and that is why they made the deal with Ellington and Tyler, as the team already had a number of options down low and could use more behind Carmelo Anthony at forward rather than the seven foot Tyler. Anthony played a ton of minutes last season and this year the Knicks may try and limit his minutes at times to make sure he gets enough rest.
According to ESPN.com, the team acquired Quincy Acy and Travis Outlaw from the Kings and GM Steve Mills says the deal gives the team more versatility. The team signed draft pick Cleanthony Early and he gives the team an option behind Anthony, while Outlaw has size and can work it on the boards as well and he comes in after averaging 5.4 points and 2.7 rebounds. Outlaw and Acy are solid reserve options and the Knicks should be deeper this season than they were last year.
The Knicks dealt Tyler since they have Cole Aldrich, Jason Smith and Samuel Dalembert, who was acquired in the Chandler trade and that should give the team some athleticism up front. Smith is a solid rebounder and shot blocker and the team also has Amar'e Stoudemire and likely will continue to do so, as moving his contract will be very tough since it's so big. Acy played well in the Summer League after averaging just three points in 13 minutes per game last season and he could be a very versatile option for the Knicks.
Last season the Knicks went just 37-45 and now the team has the chance to bounce back this year. The team needs more help behind Anthony and right now they have more depth than last year and with Phil Jackson and Derek Fisher in the fold, the team has a solid foundation to work with. All three are on five year deals and that gives the Knicks and Jackson time to build things in NY. The Knicks are looking to make the playoffs after missing out last season and they should be able to make it with all the additions they have made.
