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New York Knicks: Pros, Cons Of Phil Jackson’s Tenure As Team President

By Maxwell Ogden

Feb 10, 2017; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks general manager Phil Jackson (right) watches during the first quarter against the Denver Nuggets at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 10, 2017; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks general manager Phil Jackson (right) watches during the first quarter against the Denver Nuggets at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 8, 2016; San Antonio, TX, USA; San Antonio Spurs power forward LaMarcus Aldridge (12) is defended by New York Knicks power forward Kristaps Porzingis (6) during the second half at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 8, 2016; San Antonio, TX, USA; San Antonio Spurs power forward LaMarcus Aldridge (12) is defended by New York Knicks power forward Kristaps Porzingis (6) during the second half at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports /

Con: Free Agency Woes

The area in which Phil Jackson has struggled the most is free agency. Between poor contract decisions and a general inability to woo the big names to New York, Jackson has been nothing short of underwhelming in that regard.

One could argue that it was all a part of his plan to hit the rebuild button, but the reality remains that Jackson has consistently struck out in free agency.

In 2015, Jackson didn’t meet with LaMarcus Aldridge because of the five-time All-Star’s refusal to play center. That same offseason, the Knicks were unable to sign DeAndre Jordan and Greg Monroe to fill the void at the 5.

The player whom Jackson ultimately signed, Robin Lopez, was traded the next offseason in exchange for point guard Derrick Rose, who’s about to become a free agent himself.

The free agency woes continued in 2016 when Jackson signed Joakim Noah to a four-year deal worth $72 million. Noah still has three more seasons to justify the contract, but 2016-17 was a disastrous campaign for him.

The question is: can Jackson do any better in free agency now that he has the stigma of the Carmelo Anthony fiasco hanging over him?

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