Assembling The 2016-2017 Knicks Dream Team

SHOOTING GUARDS

Jordan Clarkson

Maxwell Ogden already did a pros and cons of pursuing Jordan Clarkson article. One of the cons mentioned was Clarkson may not be able to play point guard on a full-time basis. The simple solution to that problem: play Clarkson as the starting shooting guard.

He’s a type of combo guard that could play point if need be, but under a Jeff Hornacek system, Clarkson may best be suited as a shooting guard.

Clarkson hit 34.5 percent of his catch-and-shoot attempts from downtown last season. He also converted 35.2 percent of his pull-up jump shots from beyond the arc. He is an effective shooter.

Clarkson would provide an immediate improvement to the Knicks’ weak backcourt, but also has tremendous upside. He’s only 24 years old and won’t be entering the prime of his career for another few years.

Clarkson is a restricted free agent, subject to the Gilbert Arenas rule. The Gilbert Arenas rule, due to the Los Angeles Lakers having Clarkson’s early bird rights, would limit offers from teams to just $5.6 million for the 2016-17 season.

His salary would go up to $5.9 million for the 2017-2018 season.

The final two years of his contract would be similar to the Jeremy Lin “poison pill”, where his contract would significantly increase. The Knicks didn’t bite on Linsanity, but should they bite on Clarkson? If the Knicks go out and get Durant, Clarkson’s contract could be added this season if it is constructed this way.

This would also give Knicks room next year to pursue a better point guard, since this free agency class isn’t deep with point guards. It would secure the shooting guard position for the foreseeable future, as well as give room to potentially add another star next off season.

Furthermore, according to Ian Begley of ESPN, Clarkson has fans within the Knicks front office:

"“Restricted [free agent] Lakers guard Jordan Clarkson also has fans in the Knicks organization, but it seems as if Los Angeles will retain the second-year player.”"

The Knicks need to hope that Los Angeles Lakers don’t match their offer.

Langston Galloway

Undersized guard Langston Galloway has become a fan favorite at Madison Square Garden. What he lacks in size, he makes up in hustle and effort. He was one of, if not the only, bright spots in the Knicks’ 17-win season.

Ten-Day Galloway is a consistent spark off the Knicks bench, and will only improve with Hornacek as head coach.  He is currently a restricted free agent. The Knicks could give him a qualifying offer this year of $2,725,003 or just try to lock him up long term.

The Knicks need to not overspend to retain his services.

Isaiah Whitehead

Isaiah Whitehead is a Brooklyn, New York native who played for the Seton Hall Pirates. He is a combo guard who can play both guard positions, although he does see himself as a point guard, as he stated during the combine.

Last year in college he averaged 18.2 points per game and shot 37% from 3-point land. But exactly how do the Knicks land Whitehead with no draft picks?

The Knicks, according to Basketball Insiders’ Alex Kennedy, are aggressively trying to acquire a pick for the 2016 NBA Draft.

One way Knicks can acquire a second-round pick is by trading power forward Kyle O’Quinn. Perhaps the Phoenix Suns, who have the No. 4, No. 13, No. 28, and No. 34 picks this June, may be a trade partner for the Knicks?

The Suns may not want four rookies and could trade their No. 34 pick to the Knicks for O’Quinn, a backup big man with a small contract for the next three years. Daily Knicks’ own Maxwell Ogden listed the Suns as a team Knicks could get a pick from.

While some mock drafts have Whitehead going as much as eight spots lower, the Knicks could pick up Whitehead with the 34^th pick of the draft. Why pick him that early?

The Knicks worked out Whitehead on June 4, and he was so impressive he caught the eye of Knicks’ current superstar Carmelo Anthony, per Ian Begley of ESPN:

"“Isaiah Whitehead has several fans in the Knicks organization, including star forward Carmelo Anthony. Whitehead worked out with Anthony at the Knicks star’s Terminal 23 gym in Manhattan. Anthony came away from the workouts impressed with the Seton Hall guard, according to people in the gym.”"

Also, it doesn’t hurt that Whitehead grew up a Knicks fan.

Moving O’Quinn’s contract (approximately $4 million a year) could easily make room for a second-round pick contract. Cleanthony Early was an early second-round pick and made less than $900,000 a year.

Whitehead would make a great addition, not just for shooting guard depth, but also for point guard depth. In the previous two drafts, Phil Jackson has acquired at least two draft picks.

Trading Jose Calderon for a late first rounder and O’Quinn for a early second rounder are feasible goals.

Next: Point Guards