We are literally hours away from the NBA Draft. And many loyal to a fault Knicks fan know if we do not get this draft and everything that is included in this offseason we mine as well just start completely over. Phase 1 of the plan is complete, Hire a proven winner and Knick alumni in the great Phil Jackson, and Keep our contemporary Superstar Carmelo Anthony and hire Phil Jackson protégé and five time NBA champion Derek Fisher. The problem with phase 1 is that 2 out of those 3 people don’t play anymore. Let’s face the Knicks are one of the worse franchises in the league and have been the past 15 years. Just ask Steve Kerr why he chose Steph and Golden State over Carmelo and our history of mediocrity.
The Knicks have a bevy of options that can resurrect the Franchise and show promise for the present and the future. The NBA has evolved into a guard oriented, fast paced, perimeter league. So now more than ever Point guards are a premium for any franchise. Just ask look at Golden State while simultaneously glancing over at Matthew Delevadova and Cleveland. So First thing first the Knicks need a point guard. Now they have a few options to consider. 1. Drafting D’angelo Russell or Emmanuel Mudiay. Russell is the more polished guard skilled wise but if Mudiay works hard enough and is developed properly has way more upside then Russell. The Knicks cannot go wrong by drafting either. 1A. Trade for Eric Bledsoe, Brandon Jennings or even Dennis Schroder. The riskiest trade is Jennings, he is the most offensively talented out of the three but he is also the most inconsistent and unpredictable, coupled with coming off severe knee injury and we do not know how his personality would mesh with Melo’s. Eric Bledsoe is the most secure option, he was an understudy to Chris Paul, great athlete, and can contribute right away, problem is he has at least 60-70 million left on his contract along with at least 3 years. Now Dennis Schroder show the most promise, when I look at him I think about Tony Parker. Schroder is fierce, fast and competitive. But allowing him to play behind Jeff Teague and have a structure to develop is crucial for a guy like him because he is from overseas. Throwing him to a circus like New York may kill his NBA career.
- Don’t go after anyone who does not want to play here. LaMarcus Aldridge and Marc Gasol don’t seem like New York is on the top of their preferred destinations. So let’s not waste time and energy. Greg Monroe is waiting in the wings, a physical big that is cheaper than Gasol and Aldridge and can consistently produce double doubles. Not to mention they’re won’t be pressure on him playing alongside Melo. The biggest problem if New York acquires Greg Monroe would be figuring out floor spacing and offensive capacity for him and Carmelo simultaneously.
- Acquire Savvy, Skilled and most of all professional veterans to be a part of your team and help in changing the identity. Like Aaron Afflalo and Mike Dunleavy. Two veterans who are professional and most of all very skilled and can both shoot. The outdated triangle offense has been known to be kind to shooters and Afflalo has a history with Carmelo and can create offense for himself and Mike Dunleavy is a proven shooter.
- Last but not least have a logical plan for the structure of your team. With the Knicks it all comes down to bad decision making which is why we are picking number 4 in the draft. Were at a point where we need to be logical. If the Knicks trade of Bledsoe, Jennings or even Dennis Schroder then they could afford to draft Willey Cauley-Stein. Imagine a front line of Carmelo, Greg Monroe and Willey Cauley-Stein who is instantly going to be a fan favorite. If they draft Russell or Mudiay then can still get Greg Monroe but will probably have to find a center elsewhere. Hey Deandre Jordan might be available.
In conclusion the Knicks have options they just have to be carve out a plan and be decisive, It really isn’t rocket science it’s just Knicks Basketball.
Jason Aubin:PureSportsNY