Shumpert, Larkin, and the Knicks’ 2015 Free Agency Plans
The Knicks are primed to make a splash in 2015 due to great financial flexibility
Nov 4, 2014; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks guard Iman Shumpert (21) passes the ball defended by Washington Wizards guard Garrett Temple (17) during the first quarter at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports
As most fans know by now, last Friday, October 31st, was the deadline to extend the contracts and pick up options of players on their rookie contracts. The Knicks made a noteworthy move by neglecting to extend Iman Shumpert’s contract or pick up Shane Larkin’s third year option. This will make Shumpert a restricted free agent and Larkin an unrestricted free agent in 2015. Some fans might be worried about the Knicks unwillingness to commit to two young players but this was a smart move because it sets the team up to make a run at several marquee free agents after the season.
The past few seasons have seen the Knicks limited by two factors, a lack of draft picks and limited salary cap flexibility. These factors have both been at the fault of Knicks management because trading draft picks and picking up big contracts has limited the Knicks’ ability to improve. Shumpert, one of the best picks from an otherwise mediocre decade of drafting, has been the team’s marquee prospect since he was selected 17th overall in the 2011 NBA Draft. However, the decision to wait and see with Shumpert and his potential growth in Year 4 was the right call, given his documented offensive struggles. However, if Shumpert has a strong season he is sure to garner interest from other teams in which case the team might choose against resigning him. On the other hand, depending on Shumpert’s season the Knicks might choose to match offers from other teams if they make a qualifying offer by June 30th.
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Shane Larkin will become an unrestricted free agent following the season but will still be able to resign with the team, albeit only for the amount of the declined option – $1,675,320. The team may value Larkin’s talent and potential ceiling but has prioritized maximizing financial flexibility. Additionally, Larkin who has filled in well for injured starter Jose Calderon, is less likely to play his way out of New York because he is expected to come off the bench once Calderon returns to health. However, Larkin’s youth and athleticism alone will certainly garner some interest in which case the Knicks may let him go as they go after free agents.
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The reason the Knicks are ready to pursue big free agents in 2015 is because only 4 current players will count against the salary cap next season. The players are Carmelo Anthony, Tim Hardaway Jr. (whose 3rd year option was picked up), Pablo Prigioni, and the team’s newest draft selection Cleanthony Early. The team will finally be rid of the large, untradeable contracts of Amar’e Stoudemire and Andrea Bargnani. So who exactly should the team target in 2015?
Of the many free agents in 2015, some of them are very unlikely to find themselves in New York next season. Two of these players are arguably the two best power forwards in the NBA, LaMarcus Aldridge of the Portland Trail Blazers and Kevin Love of the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Knicks would certainly love to add a dominant scorer and rebounder down low to complement Melo and these will be the two best available. However, both players are members of contending teams therefore it seems very unlikely that either player would leave their current situation for a less stable one such as that of the Knicks. Aldridge is a career Blazer and plays for a very talented team that has not yet reached it’s ceiling. Love is part of the new Big 3 in Cleaveland with LeBron James and Kyrie Irving and is playing for a title contender for the first time in his career. Additionally, Love has agreed to opt out of his contract in 2015 and re-sign with the Cavaliers on a five-year, $120 million-plus contract extension. Unless Love chooses to break the agreement we should all assume that his upcoming free agency will cease to exist, but it is worth noting that his future is technically unknown until further notice.
A free agent power forward that the Knicks have a good chance to pursue is Greg Monroe
Greg Monroe of the Detroit Pistons is only 24 years old and has had a promising and productive start to his career. However, last season the Pistons signed another power forward Josh Smith in hopes of playing him, Monroe, and young center Andre Drummond together at the same time. The results were less then desirable and with Monroe coming off the bench this year it makes you wonder if he might want to leave for a team that may value him more. Monroe would be a great fit with the Knicks and would not warrant a max type contract.
Point guard Rajon Rondo of the Boston Celtics is another intriguing option for the Knicks. Trade rumors have been surrounding Rondo ever since Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett were traded to the Brooklyn Nets in 2013. As the Celtics attempt to rebuild around newly drafted point guard Marcus Smart, Rondo’s tenure in Boston is all but over. The question remains if the Celtics will manage to trade Rondo at the deadline or let him walkaway in free agency.
Rondo is a valuable pass first point guard and a triple double threat on a nightly basis. However, teams may prove to be unwilling to give up too much for Rondo during the season without the guarantee that he would resign in the offseason. If Rondo does make it to free agency, the Knicks may give him a look as he would be a valuable addition to the roster. However, given his anticipated high price range and the Knicks desire to add more then one talented free agent, the team might look elsewhere, namely at Reggie Jackson of the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Reggie Jackson really came into his own last season when he took over the sixth man role from Kevin Martin when the latter left for Minnesota. Jackson blossomed tremendously because he started 36 games for the injured Russell Westbrook. Additionally, in 41 games in which Westbrook and Jackson shared the floor the Thunder outscored opponents by 17.8 points per 100 possessions. This season with Westbrook and Kevin Durant both shelved for the beginning of the season, Jackson is continuing to showcase his skillset and play his way out of OKC. The Thunder have proven in the past that they will let talented players go, specifically James Harden, rather then pay a big contract in face of the luxury tax. It seems unlikely that the team will pay Jackson starter money to be Westbrook’s backup. Jackson has also vocalized his desire to start so the possibility of him leaving the Thunder for a team like the Knicks is very likely.
Lastly, another key target for the Knicks this offseason will be Memphis Grizzlies center Marc Gasol. Gasol, although not a dominant scorer, is a former Defensive Player of the Year and an excellent passer. Most importantly many envision him as an excellent fit in the triangle offense. Furthermore, the relationship between Phil Jackson and Marc’s brother, Pau, should not be written off.
The Knicks should make securing Gasol their top priority.
There are other restricted free agents that could potentially be available such as Jimmy Butler, Kawhi Leonard, Brandon Knight, and Tobias Harris. However, most of these players are expected to remain with their current teams. The Knicks should invest in Marc Gasol and another player such as Reggie Jackson. Furthermore, the team should give Larkin and Shumpert a look depending on how everything pans out. Carmelo Anthony resigned with the team knowing that 2014-2015 would not be a serious contending season. However, 2015-2016 is a great opportunity for the Knicks to set Melo up with a team that can contend.