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Knicks: Free Agents Who’d Guarantee NY’s Return To Playoffs

By Maxwell Ogden

Nov 30, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35) guards Atlanta Hawks center Al Horford (15) during the second half at Philips Arena. The Hawks defeated the Thunder 106-100. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 30, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35) guards Atlanta Hawks center Al Horford (15) during the second half at Philips Arena. The Hawks defeated the Thunder 106-100. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /
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With both the 2016 NBA Draft and free agency nearing, what should the New York Knicks’ starting lineup look like next season?

Nov 30, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35) guards Atlanta Hawks center Al Horford (15) during the second half at Philips Arena. The Hawks defeated the Thunder 106-100. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 30, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35) guards Atlanta Hawks center Al Horford (15) during the second half at Philips Arena. The Hawks defeated the Thunder 106-100. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /

The New York Knicks have a future face of the franchise, but that doesn’t alleviate any ounce of the burden currently being placed on the front office. New York needs to execute an immediate turnaround, and anything short of a return to the playoffs would be a complete failure in 2017.

There’s no middle-ground and there are no exceptions; 2017 is postseason or bust for the Knicks.

New York has a 32-year-old perennial All-Star in Carmelo Anthony, which is the foundation for success. 20-year-old phenom Kristaps Porzingis has mountains of potential, and Robin Lopez is an underrated defensive anchor, but something was missing in 2015-16.

Thus, the question beckons: which free agency targets could actually help New York avoid another year on the outside looking in?

Many fit the bill, but they do so when coupled with another quality addition via free agency. In a select few cases, however, a pending free agent can accurately be described as the missing piece from the current puzzle.

The question is, which free agency targets would actually guarantee New York’s return to the playoffs?

Next: Honorable Mention

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