New York Knicks Fans Shouldn’t Expect Splash Until 2016

Jan 25, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward

Kevin Durant

(35) defends Cleveland Cavaliers forward

LeBron James

(23) in the second quarter at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports

1. The Superstars

This is where things get interesting.

Come 2016, four of the biggest names in professional sports will hit the open market. There are question marks, but when healthy, all four could elevate an organization to a championship-caliber level.

Those four players: Kobe Bryant, Kevin Durant, Dwight Howard and LeBron James.

Durant and James are the top two potential free agents, both possessing an immeasurable level of talent. James is a four-time MVP and two-time Finals MVP, while Durant is a four-time scoring champion with an MVP award and an NBA Finals appearance.

If the New York Knicks were to pair one of those players with Carmelo Anthony, the sky would be the limit.

May 4, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets center Dwight Howard (12) calls for the ball while being defended by Los Angeles Clippers guard

J.J. Redick

(4) in game one of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at Toyota Center. Los Angeles Clippers won 117 to 101. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports

Much like Durant, Howard has questions about his ability to fully recover from injury concerns. Durant is coming off of a concerning foot injury, while D-12’s full recovery from back and shoulder injuries has been debated.

Nevertheless, when healthy, Howard remains one of the league’s premier defensive players. Three Defensive Player of the Year awards prove as much.

The X-Factor is Bryant. He’s past his prime, but a reunion with Phil Jackson is slightly easier to believe in than his leaving the Lakers for any other reason whatsoever.

Mar 10, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant (24) on the bench the second half of the game against the Detroit Pistons at Staples Center. Lakers won 93-85. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

With the organization stuck in a rebuild and management not adhering to his requests—for instance, ignoring Bryant’s public request to hire Jackson over Mike D’Antoni—a departure is possible.

Not probable, but possible.

There’s no telling whether or not the Knicks will be able to land one of these four players, but with mountains of cap space and a major market, it’s in the realm of possibility.

Thus, New York’s rise to championship contention is more likely to begin in 2016.

Next: D'Angelo Russell should be high on the New York Knicks' list of NBA Draft priorities

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