The New York Knicks realized just how much last season set them back when the free agent market opened up and no one was jumping to sign with the Big Apple. The Knicks finished last year as one of the worst teams in the league and it hurt their overall status and appeal with big-named players. New York certainly had the salary cap space to sign a LaMarcus Aldridge or Greg Monroe, but could not even score meetings with some players. Phil Jackson has no intentions of letting that happen twice, but the Knicks must win first.
"We need to win, be a competitive team," Jackson said, via ESPN.com. "I think we showed agents and players around the league a serious nature of what we're trying to accomplish. People who know basketball will recognize that, and we'll have people who want to come here."
The Knicks managed by signing Robin Lopez, Derrick Williams and Arron Afflalo to contracts which actually sets them up to make runs next year. Both Afflalo and Williams inked two-year deals with the second being player options for the team. According to the New York Daily News, Jackson is already forming a wishlist for players he intends to chase which include Kevin Durant and Mike Conley. Depending on what happens with the team's crop of rookies, Rajon Rondo or Joakim Noah could also be potential targets moving forward. However, like Jackson said, the team must win first.
One thing working in Jackson's favor is the success of both Kristaps Porzingis and Jerian Grant who are playing well in Summer League at the moment. According to Brian Windhorst of ESPN.com, Porzingis is quickly ending any doubt that he will be the second-coming of Andrea Bargnani in the upcoming year. Head coach Derek Fisher has had nothing but praise for the forward who has excelled to this point with the team.
"He'll have the ability to do more things offensively over time, Fisher said, via the New York Daily News. "Execution in summer league will never be anywhere close to where it should be. There won't be as many high-percentage shots, there will be more fouls and more court possessions. I thought in the spaces where he had a chance to be aggressive, he was aggressive. He got to the foul line. He's not afraid of contact. For a guy his size, that's really good to see."
If Jackson can get solid production out of Porzingis and Grant, he could be really setting the Knicks up for a strong run in the upcoming season which will lend to bigger names signing in free agency. However, if things go south once again New York will be in a bad position moving forward.
