New York Knicks Fans Shouldn’t Expect Splash Until 2016
Apr 12, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Pacers guard
George Hill(3) brings the ball up court against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Indiana defeats Oklahoma City 116-104. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
3. Reliable Veterans
To build a genuine championship contender, a team must construct a roster with strong depth and dependable role players. 2015 has a strong supply of assets of that nature, but 2016’s crop is stronger.
Whether it’s a quality point guard, a floor-spacing big man or a defensive specialist, it’ll all available in unrestricted free agency.
Down low, the three players who are likely to command attention will be Ryan Anderson, Nene Hilario and David Lee. Anderson is an elite threat from 3-point range, Lee is a nightly double-double when healthy and Nene has a long history of stepping up in the postseason.
All three would provide New York with a reasonably priced player who’s adequately equipped to thrive in the Triangle Offense.
Apr 27, 2015; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Brooklyn Nets forward
Joe Johnson(7) drives during the second quarter against the Atlanta Hawks in game four of the first round of the NBA Playoffs. at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports
At point guard, both D.J. Augustin and George Hill have earned reputations as reliably strong contributors. Hill has made two Conference Finals appearances as the starter for the Indiana Pacers, while Augustin has turned his career around with the Chicago Bulls, Detroit Pistons and Oklahoma City Thunder.
Both would thrive in the Triangle Offense as quality playmakers who have proven capable of working off-ball.
At shooting guard and small forward, the players range in abilities and specialties. Jamal Crawford is a two-time Sixth Man of the Year with a scorer’s mentality, Courtney Lee is a 3-and-D specialist and Joe Johnson is a handful in ISO situations.
Johnson will be 35 come the 2016-17 season with a lower price tag and a remaining penchant for clutch heroics. At that point, it may be a risk worth taking.
Throw in sharpshooting shooting guard Kevin Martin and the Knicks have a strong supply of options.
Next: The Next Tier