Phil Jackson is eyeing major changes for the New York Knicks. The team president has yet to really make an impact with the franchise since arriving and now he knows a shakeup is needed in order to improve. He got the ball rolling on Monday when Jackson announced that head coach Derek Fisher had been fired. Now major trades and free agency targets will become a priority over the next two seasons.
In the short-term, Jackson told ESPN.com that he will look for a big trade at the deadline. The Knicks are not in contention for the playoff right now and showing no signs of moving in that direction. With players like Arron Afflalo, Jose Calderon and Jerian Grant struggling to make an impact, upgrades are needed. However, that is easier said than done as the Knicks lack assets to make a move.
"We're looking to improve this ballclub, there's no doubt," Jackson said, via ESPN.com. "We know that we have some good guys. The chemistry is pretty good. The talent can still be better. It always can, so we're looking."
Jackson was very quick to say that Carmelo Anthony was not going anywhere considering he has a no-trade clause in his contract. The team is also not moving Kristaps Porzingis who has been a breakout star for the team. However, the jury is out on everyone else. The Knicks have been linked to trade deals for Jeff Teague, Dennis Schroder, Jamal Crawford, Brandon Jennings and Mike Conley. However, all of those players will come with a heavy price tag leaving the Knicks to get creative on how they approach trade deals. Jackson told the media that he is looking at options and will remain in discussion with several teams until the deadline.
"Do we sit in a really favorable spot? Probably not," Jackson said. "We don't have a tremendous amount of favorable trade items that are on our roster. Like any team looking to improve themselves, we are open to discussion. We have to be. That is just the way of the nature of the game."
The Knicks will have money to spend over the next two seasons and could target plenty of big names. ESPN's Ian Begley has already linked the team to Kevin Durant and Al Horford in free agency. Could Russell Westbrook be a target in 2017? According to Adrian Wojnarowski, the Knicks have a legit shot at Westbrook, but not in a trade, only in free agency. According to the Yahoo Sports writer, Westbrook is intrigued by Porzingis and Jackson's ability to build a solid roster. The recent changes facing the Knicks could change that interest as players like Rajon Rondo have already taken their names out of contention.
