The NY Knicks have been off to a historically bad start for the franchise this season and that could lead to trade deals at the deadline with names like Amar'e Stoudemire, Iman Shumpert, Jose Calderon and Andrea Bargnani potential targets and this comes as New York plans on chasing Marc Gasol, LaMarcus Aldridge and Rajon Rondo in free agency for Carmelo Anthony support in 2015.
The Knicks right now are looking more likely as a top five draft pick than top free agents, as some players may not see the team turning around quickly. Aldridge is part of a playoff team in Portland, while Gasol is the center of one of the best teams in the west with the Memphis Grizzlies. Rondo is part of a rebuilding process in Boston and he is likely to re-sign, although teams like the Lakers and Rockets also plan on chasing him in free agency.
The Knicks are hoping that they can pull a fast turnaround after two seasons of bad play and they feel that adding one major star next to Carmelo will help with the rebound. According to Pro Basketball Talk, the Knicks are going to chase after Aldridge and Gasol, but it's unlikely that the stars will sign with the way the team has played. The NY Daily News writes that the team should concentrate on getting a strong prospect in the upcoming draft and try to sign one or two mid-level free agents over one of the superstars to help with the rebuilding process.
Phil Jackson, Carmelo Anthony and Derek Fisher are all on five year deals so the team has time to build, but if things continue in this direction, James Dolan could step in and try and take over again. The Knicks have trade options to try and set themselves up for next summer, as Iman Shumpert, Stoudemire and Bargnani are potential targets for teams. Shumpert is heading into restricted free agency and his future is up in the air, while Amar'e and Bargnani have their contracts up and could be valuable for other teams looking to clear space as well.
The Knicks have long been planning on targeting Rondo and Gasol this summer, but now with the way the team has played getting those players to sign will be difficult. The NY Daily News added that Aldridge will also be a target, but he is very unlikely to leave Portland since the team has turned around from a few years ago and can offer him the most money. The Knicks and Lakers had hoped to target Kevin Love in 2015, but he is with the Cavs and even if he opts out of his deal, he is likely to remain in Cleveland.
The Knicks are 4-18 this season overall and they have lost some tough games, including a one point loss to the Hornets last week. The Knicks are closer to challenging the Sixers for the worst record in the league over making the playoffs and now Jackson and company have to find a way to turn things around. The team is ranked 26th in points per game this season and they just lost to the Blazers and they have tough games coming up heading into the Christmas holiday.
