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New York Knicks: Team-specific 2017 NBA Mock Draft with trades 1.0

By Maxwell Ogden

Mar 7, 2017; Brooklyn, NY, USA; North Carolina State Wolfpack guard Dennis Smith Jr. (4) drives against Clemson Tigers forward Elijah Thomas (14) and Clemson Tigers guard Marcquise Reed (2) during the second half of an ACC Conference Tournament game at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 7, 2017; Brooklyn, NY, USA; North Carolina State Wolfpack guard Dennis Smith Jr. (4) drives against Clemson Tigers forward Elijah Thomas (14) and Clemson Tigers guard Marcquise Reed (2) during the second half of an ACC Conference Tournament game at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 1, 2017; Brooklyn, NY, USA; New York Knicks center Joakim Noah (13) and forward Carmelo Anthony (7) and forward Kristaps Porzingis (6) react from the bench during the fourth quarter against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 1, 2017; Brooklyn, NY, USA; New York Knicks center Joakim Noah (13) and forward Carmelo Anthony (7) and forward Kristaps Porzingis (6) react from the bench during the fourth quarter against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /

Updated Roster (Projection)

Point Guards

  • Dennis Smith Jr. ($2,917,600, rookie scale)
  • Chasson Randle ($1,312,611, non-guaranteed)

Shooting Guards

  • Donovan Mitchell ($2,299,400, rookie scale)
  • Kostja Mushidi (~$1,000,000 or draft and stash)

Small Forwards

  • Carmelo Anthony ($26,243,760)
  • Maurice Harkless ($10,162,921)
  • Mindaugas Kuzminskas ($3,028,410)

Power Forwards

  • Jon Leuer ($10,497,319)
  • Maurice Ndour ($1,312,611, non-guaranteed)
  • Kristaps Porzingis ($4,503,600)

Center

  • Willy Hernangomez ($1,435,750)
  • Joakim Noah ($17,765,000)
  • Marshall Plumlee ($1,312,611, non-guaranteed)

With 13 roster spots filled and $83,791,593 tied up, the New York Knicks would enter free agency with just over $17.2 million in cap space if all holds are renounced. New York also has three non-guaranteed contracts totaling $3,937,833.

If the Knicks manage to bring Ron Baker and Justin Holiday back, the roster could round into form and help breed a brighter future.

New York’s top priority should be re-signing Holiday, for whom it holds early bird rights. That would require the Knicks to maintain the cap hold. In doing so, the Knicks could to go over the salary cap to re-sign Holiday for a maximum base salary of $8.1 million.

In addition to doing so, New York could explore other possibilities under the projected $101 million salary cap, including bringing Baker back on a low-cost contract and finding a veteran backup point guard.

With Dennis Smith Jr., Donovan Mitchell, Carmelo Anthony, Kristaps Porzingis, and Willy Hernangomez, the Knicks could roll out a lineup with tremendous upside. That type of size, length, and versatility could elevate the Knicks into the postseason sooner than later.

Offensively, all five players would be able to shoot with some measure of consistency, and all five players would have shown a willingness to pass up a good shot for a better one.

Must Read: Ranking the 25 greatest players in New York Knicks history

They may not feature the household names some New York Knicks fans are hoping for, but these moves would enable Phil Jackson to build a promising future.

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