When Phil Jackson took over the New York Knicks franchise, he inherited a salary cap nightmare. The team is cash strapped and trades will be forced this offseason if the team has any hope of re-signing Carmelo Anthony while also bringing in a solid supporting cast to help him finally win a championship. After last season's downfall that resulted in missing the postseason, the Knicks are all about improvement which means a few players could be on the blocks come July 1.
Amar'e Stoudemire, Tyson Chandler and Andrea Bargnani are the problem. Of those three players, one or two will not be back in the blue and orange next season. Combined, those three are the biggest salary cap problems. Even without Anthony, the Knicks are still over the salary cap with those three contracts on the books. Bargnani has an $11 million player option. Stoudemire has a $14 million option. Chandler has another $14 million committed to him before hitting free agency in 2015. So who goes?
Chandler has already hinted that he would love to be traded while Stoudemire intends on picking up his option. ESPNNewYork.com believes Bargnani could be the odd man out in the offseason. The center will pick up his player option next season which means New York has to deal if they want to get rid of him. Bargnani came to the Knicks with high expectations but failed to meet them after struggling to find his footing. The Knicks were beter when he was not playing. That does not translate into an easy trade.
Chandler and Stoudemire are the better trade options over the center, but it is unclear if Phil Jackson is ready to give up on them yet. Plenty of teams have been eyeing Chandler and he could be included in a package with point guard Raymond Felton. The Knicks are ready to dump him as well, but can only do so by including someone else in the deal.
All offseason moves will have Anthony in mind. According to the New York Daily News, the Knicks are still considered a favorite to re-sign the guard, but only if they show serious signs of improving. Getting Anthony a solid option at the point guard position could be the factor that keeps the veteran in the Big Apple.
The Knicks have been linked to a trade for Rajon Rondo. The Boston Celtics will deal him for the right price and a package involving a big man like Chandler, Stoudemire or Bargnani could do it. New York also plans on trying to sign Kyle Lowry in free agency, a player they have had their sights on since last year.
