The NY Knicks are heading into the draft lottery with the chance to get the number one overall pick and players like Karl-Anthony Towns, Jahlil Okafor and D'Angelo Russell could be potential options and this comes as Phil Jackson likely will chase free agents like LaMarcus Aldridge, Greg Monroe, Reggie Jackson and Rajon Rondo on the market.
The Knicks are coming into the offseason with a high amount of cap space and that will set them up for a big year in free agency. Monroe is reportedly expected to be a target, while LaMarcus Aldridge could also be in the mix if he entertains offers to leave Portland. Rondo and Dragic are both expected to be chased by the Lakers and the Knicks could also be options for the point guards.
Okafor and Towns are considered the top two players coming into the draft, but the lead up could always change things. The Knicks are hoping to get one of the top two picks in the lottery, but they likely will be satisfied even with the number three pick. Okafor came into the season as the presumptive number one pick and now those two players are considered to be the best options. The Knicks have scouted both and with Okafor having a so-so NCAA tournament, Towns could establish himself as the new top player overall.
Monroe is going to be a highly coveted player this offseason, as he is coming off of a career year after averaging 16.1 points and 10.5 rebounds. Monroe has also never dealt with any serious injuries in the NBA and that could also get teams like the Rockets, Lakers and Heat involved in the chase. The Knicks are targeting Jahlil Okafor and Karl-Anthony Towns in the upcoming draft with D'Angelo Russell.
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 need a player like Monroe and with both Marc Gasol and LaMarcus Aldridge hitting the market, the team may feel better about going after Monroe. With Gasol and Aldridge expected to remain with their teams, the Knicks could have more luck with Monroe and according to The Sporting News' Sean Deveney, the Knicks will look at going for the younger players on the market this year, as they would like a sustained run of success over the next few years.
