NY Knicks Rumors and Free Agent Targets: Greg Monroe, LaMarcus Aldridge Options With Andrea Bargnani Return for Phil Jackson?

Apr 17, 2015 03:50 PM EDT
LaMarcus Aldridge #12 of the Portland Trail Blazers
LaMarcus Aldridge #12 of the Portland Trail Blazers in action against Quincy Acy #4 of the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on December 7, 2014 in New York City. The Trail Blazers defeated the Knicks 103-99. "

The NY Knicks plan on being active in free agency this summer and names like Greg Monroe, Rajon Rondo and Goran Dragic are potential targets along with Marc Gasol, Reggie Jackson, Jimmy Butler and LaMarcus Aldridge and this comes as Phil Jackson may bring back Andrea Bargnani on a deal when he hits the market as a free agent.

The Knicks are locked in at the number two spot as they try and win the draft lottery and they are in good position to get a top pick. According to ESPN.com, the worst team in the league has not won the lottery in a number of years and that could put the Knicks in the top spot. The team likely will be content with the top three spots, as players like D'Angelo Russell, Jahlil Okafor and Karl-Anthony Towns are considered to be strong prospects.

The draft will be important for Phil Jackson, but free agency is arguably even more important, as the team needs some support round Carmelo Anthony. The Knicks are projected to have over $30 million in cap space and according to Pro Basketball Talk, the team could go for "younger" free agents over the more established veterans. While Dragic and Rondo are expected to be targets, the team could go hard after names like Monroe, Jackson and Brandon Knight, as they are on the younger side compared to Rondo and Gasol.

Jackson would like to get a sustained run of success in New York and that is something that has been elusive to the franchise for quite some time. According to ESPN New York, Monroe was asked about the potential of signing with the Knicks when the Pistons played the team at the end of the season. Monroe said he would meet with the team if they were interested and according to Frank Isola of the Daily News, the team signing Monroe is a "lock". Monroe is a young player and put up the best stats of his career and that could get him a max contract.

Aldridge could be a target for the Knicks, as reports have him potentially leaving the Trail Blazers. Last year Aldridge was mentioned with Gasol as players that likely would not leave, but according to Ramona Shelburne on ESPN LA (who is always very dialed in and very good at her job), Aldridge "is more in play than people think" and that could set up the Lakers or Knicks as options. The Blazers have been very good, but with Damian Lillard emerging as the franchise star, Aldridge could move on.

The Knicks also will be interested in Dragic and Rondo, but with the Lakers and Rockets also in the mix for those players, they could miss out. Dragic was traded to the Miami Heat this season and while he will be a target for the Lakers and Knicks, he could remain in South Beach. Dragic can get more money and an extra season on his contract if he stays.

The Knicks arte focused on the draft, but Jackson realizes that free agency this year is crucial if the team wants to capitalize on Anthony's skills while they are near the top of his game. The Knicks were a mess, but they found some talent in Langston Galloway and if they add a top three prospect and two significant free agents, they could be back in the playoffs in the terrible east. 

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