21 Shump Street
Benchwarmer
In this thread we discuss possible FA (restricted & unrestricted) signings in the offseason, wouldn't mind a Mod making this a sticky if it catches.
As there are so many FA's this offseason i'll only be reviewing the ones that are either likely signings or have shown interest/been shown interest by the Knicks.
Feel free to add any I may have missed (serious options only).
Point Guards:
-
Jeremy Lin
Lin has been our knight in shining armour this season and is pretty much a lock to be resigned especially with Dolan squirming at the thought of the publicity he will generate. Despite interest from other teams most are tipping Lin to return to New York.
Signing status: Very probable
Steve Nash
Many have dreamt of Nash playing in NY with his old buddy Amare Stoudemire, however this seems fairly unlikely pending the re-signing of Jeremy Lin. When D'Antoni's departure from the big city Nash's hopes of coming here may have taken a hit. Nash has been quoted as saying he will not return to the Suns if several improvements are not made and he is also quoted to be looking for a "3 year deal".
Signing status: Improbable (Based on the signing of Lin.)
Andre Miller
Miller last night threw Denver under the bus, saying "i'd like to play in a team that can get out of the first round" and "if i'm going to be forced to play backup, it's going to be for a contender". Chances are he won't re-sign in the Mile High City with the imminent rise of Ty Lawson. I haven't been able to find any legit sources linking him to the Knicks but many rumours about him going to Miami or NY are appearing. Only question that presents itself is: would he take a pay cut to play back up to Lin? I believe he could be a very solid backup PG and help put us toward the upper echelon of the Eastern Conference.
Signing Status: Possible
Patty Mills
A very underrated player who has been able to showcase his skill set in his brief period with the Spurs this year. Pending he doesn't return to San Antonio i believe we should pursue him as he is an underrated scorer and playmaker, he is also quite athletic and can keep pace with some of the quicker guards in the league. Finally, he could be got for a Vet Min price range.
Signing Status: Possible
Shooting Guards
JR Smith & Landry Fields
It's a very real possibility that one or both of these guys re-signs with us this offseason, pending that happens, I believe our depth will be adequate at this position.
Signing Status: Fields: Probable, JR Smith: Possible
Small Forward
Grant Hill:
Very few are aware how close the Knicks were to getting Grant Hill to signing for the bi-annual exception last offseason. It was only a last minute meeting with Steve Nash that made him decide to stay and watch the sunset in Phoenix for one more season. With Nash a solid chance of leaving, Hill may look to also take his talents elsewhere. He would prove to be a very solid backup for Melo and would increase our depth considerably.
Signing Status: Possible
Power Forwards
Jarred Jeffries:
Jeffries has proved to be the blood and guts of the Knicks team, doing all the dirty work and often taking out the trash. Pending he recovers well from his offseason surgery I would expect to see him return to Mob Deep to provide his hustle & defense.
Signing status: Probable
Kenyon Martin:
Martin could be a very solid backup for STAT and would provide much needed aggression on the boards and versatile defense. Due to his piss poor attitude, want for a large contract and being Billups bum buddy (how's that for a tongue twister folks), seems unlikely to arrive here.
Signing Status: Improbable
Centers
Marcus Camby
Just the memory of him valiantly filling in for Patrick Ewing gets me excited, however, he could probably command a much larger salary elsewhere and a larger role. Camby would undoubtedly provide us with great defense and rebounding but I just don't believe if he would give up alot of money to come back here. For those interested he has already earned $119,000,000 so far in his career but will probably choose elsewhere for more playing time. On a side note im still optimistic that Jerome Jordan could pan out to be a very solid backup centre given the minutes.
Signing Status: Pipe Dream
As there are so many FA's this offseason i'll only be reviewing the ones that are either likely signings or have shown interest/been shown interest by the Knicks.
Feel free to add any I may have missed (serious options only).
Point Guards:
-
Jeremy Lin
Lin has been our knight in shining armour this season and is pretty much a lock to be resigned especially with Dolan squirming at the thought of the publicity he will generate. Despite interest from other teams most are tipping Lin to return to New York.
Signing status: Very probable
Steve Nash
Many have dreamt of Nash playing in NY with his old buddy Amare Stoudemire, however this seems fairly unlikely pending the re-signing of Jeremy Lin. When D'Antoni's departure from the big city Nash's hopes of coming here may have taken a hit. Nash has been quoted as saying he will not return to the Suns if several improvements are not made and he is also quoted to be looking for a "3 year deal".
Signing status: Improbable (Based on the signing of Lin.)
Andre Miller
Miller last night threw Denver under the bus, saying "i'd like to play in a team that can get out of the first round" and "if i'm going to be forced to play backup, it's going to be for a contender". Chances are he won't re-sign in the Mile High City with the imminent rise of Ty Lawson. I haven't been able to find any legit sources linking him to the Knicks but many rumours about him going to Miami or NY are appearing. Only question that presents itself is: would he take a pay cut to play back up to Lin? I believe he could be a very solid backup PG and help put us toward the upper echelon of the Eastern Conference.
Signing Status: Possible
Patty Mills
A very underrated player who has been able to showcase his skill set in his brief period with the Spurs this year. Pending he doesn't return to San Antonio i believe we should pursue him as he is an underrated scorer and playmaker, he is also quite athletic and can keep pace with some of the quicker guards in the league. Finally, he could be got for a Vet Min price range.
Signing Status: Possible
Shooting Guards
JR Smith & Landry Fields
It's a very real possibility that one or both of these guys re-signs with us this offseason, pending that happens, I believe our depth will be adequate at this position.
Signing Status: Fields: Probable, JR Smith: Possible
Small Forward
Grant Hill:
Very few are aware how close the Knicks were to getting Grant Hill to signing for the bi-annual exception last offseason. It was only a last minute meeting with Steve Nash that made him decide to stay and watch the sunset in Phoenix for one more season. With Nash a solid chance of leaving, Hill may look to also take his talents elsewhere. He would prove to be a very solid backup for Melo and would increase our depth considerably.
Signing Status: Possible
Power Forwards
Jarred Jeffries:
Jeffries has proved to be the blood and guts of the Knicks team, doing all the dirty work and often taking out the trash. Pending he recovers well from his offseason surgery I would expect to see him return to Mob Deep to provide his hustle & defense.
Signing status: Probable
Kenyon Martin:
Martin could be a very solid backup for STAT and would provide much needed aggression on the boards and versatile defense. Due to his piss poor attitude, want for a large contract and being Billups bum buddy (how's that for a tongue twister folks), seems unlikely to arrive here.
Signing Status: Improbable
Centers
Marcus Camby
Just the memory of him valiantly filling in for Patrick Ewing gets me excited, however, he could probably command a much larger salary elsewhere and a larger role. Camby would undoubtedly provide us with great defense and rebounding but I just don't believe if he would give up alot of money to come back here. For those interested he has already earned $119,000,000 so far in his career but will probably choose elsewhere for more playing time. On a side note im still optimistic that Jerome Jordan could pan out to be a very solid backup centre given the minutes.
Signing Status: Pipe Dream
