Despite the fact that many of us are still laughing about Phil Jackson’s tweet during the playoffs and the boos at Barclays following Kristaps Porzingis’ no. 4 draft selection, the New York Knicks have quietly had a quality offseason.
Moving past the immediate irony of Jackson drafting the Latvian project with a proclivity for shooting three-balls, let’s take a look at what the Knicks have accomplished in free agency, and what it might mean for the immediate and foreseeable future.
Robin Lopez—four years, $54 million
By 2016-17, Lopez will account for 15.2 percent of the total projected cap, and in 2017-18 that will fall to 12.5 percent. Even if you wish he were a better scorer, a bit more mobile, or could sky through the lane for SportsCenter type slams, it’s hard to argue against the signing here for New York. Lopez was the lesser-known brother to Brook coming out of college, but has busted his tail, been more fortunate in terms of avoiding injury, and played for better teams. Given the choice, how many GM’s besides Billy King would rather pay Brook $20 million than Robin $13.5 million? The Knicks finally found their replacement center after trading Tyson Chandler last summer, and they got him for a nice price.
Kyle O’Quinn—four years, $16 million
This will easily be one of the best bargain signings of the summer. I’m definitely surprised that the Orlando Magic decided not to keep O’Quinn, especially given their void on the interior defensively. The Queens’ native has the potential to be one of the best backup big men in the NBA, and comes at an unbeatable value.
Arron Afflalo—two years, $16 million
Whether you’re an Afflalo fan or not, the Knicks adding veteran players like Afflalo and Lopez will allow Porzingis and Jerian Grant to make much smoother transitions into the NBA. Afflalo is a guy who came into the league with a defensive reputation but became a serviceable two-way player through years of hard work and dedication. Further, it’s only a two-year deal, so it allows for future flexibility.
Derrick Williams—two years, $10 million
The Knicks made a real splash here. Kidding. Just making sure you’re paying attention. It’s only for two years, and it’s a cheap deal, but why? Just why?
Conclusion
The Knicks don’t own a first-round draft pick next summer, so this was never going to be another tank-job. Yet, New York also wasn’t going to be a championship contender without LeBron James joining the squad. The future of the franchise is in flux with Carmelo Anthony on the wrong side of 30, but this season will be a critical one in helping to determine whether the Knicks can compete during Melo’s remaining years as one of the league’s top scorers. Players have been booed on draft nights but later became beloved, and Porzingis, who towered over Karl-Anthony Towns in the 2015 class photo, has good footwork and deep range, and he could eventually become a star in NYC. Pencil in Cleveland, Atlanta, Chicago, Washington, Milwaukee, Miami, and Toronto as the seven most likely Eastern Conference playoff teams, with any of the following squads in the mix to earn the eighth seed: Boston, Brooklyn, Charlotte, Detroit, Indiana New York, and Orlando. Even Philly, if Joel Embiid is able to get healthy, will likely be much improved this year. Without Embiid, however, the Sixers are still likely to finish near the bottom of the East.
Where exactly the Knicks finish in the standings will be dictated largely by conference-wide health, and how ready the rookies are to contribute. However, the Knicks’ lack of depth may make it tough for them to make the playoffs, and as it stands they are probably a long shot anyways. The Knicks’ 2015-16 season shouldn’t be judged on whether they get knocked out in the first round or miss the playoffs entirely, but by the progress the young players make, and how they fit in with the veterans currently on the roster. Surprising or not, the Zen Master has done a solid job during an absolutely vital offseason.
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