The New York Knicks managed to shock the NBA on Tuesday night when they upset the San Antonio Spurs in overtime to secure what has become a rare win. The Knicks entered the game as the worst team in the league while the Spurs have been trying to climb the ranks of the Western Conference. Most assumed this was an easy win for San Antonio, but several Knicks players are auditioning for future contracts and showed that Tuesday night.
The Spurs likely had no idea who Alexey Shved was, but he scored 21 points in the win while making key defensive plays to shut down Tony Parker and Tim Duncan. Langston Galloway quickly followed with 22 points while putting up a strong defensive front as well in overtime. These are the type of players that are trying to prove something to team president Phil Jackson as the Knicks prepare for major roster changes in the offseason. Proving they are capable of competing at a high level could mean Jackson intends to keep them around for the long-term.
Galloway is already being considered a point guard of the future for New York. He has a contract that lasts through next season and his success is pushing Jose Calderon further and further out of the spotlight. According to Marc Stein of ESPN.com is reporting that a trade of Calderon is still very much a priority for the Knicks. The team intends on chasing Rajon Rondo, Reggie Jackson and Goran Dragic in free agency, but Galloway will make a nice backup for the Knicks coming off the bench. His low-risk contract is an easy thing to keep around.
Andrea Bargnani is another player that is really pushing a return in 2015. The power forward has one of the biggest contracts on the team, but could accept a pay cut to stick around. According to the New York Daily News, Knicks' fans should not rule out Bargnani as a future player for the team. The forward is unlikely to get a lot of looks as a free agent, but he has done enough in the last few weeks to prove he could re-sign with the Knicks on a short-term deal and make an impact. If players like Greg Monroe, Marc Gasol or LaMarcus Aldridge are not signed, Bargnani is a solid option.