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New York Knicks: Realistically ambitious 2017 NBA Mock Draft

By Maxwell Ogden

Feb 15, 2017; Charlottesville, VA, USA; Duke Blue Devils forward Jayson Tatum (0) shoots a free throw against the Virginia Cavaliers at John Paul Jones Arena. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 15, 2017; Charlottesville, VA, USA; Duke Blue Devils forward Jayson Tatum (0) shoots a free throw against the Virginia Cavaliers at John Paul Jones Arena. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 6, 2017; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks small forward Carmelo Anthony (7) shoots a free throw against the Washington Wizards during the fourth quarter at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 6, 2017; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks small forward Carmelo Anthony (7) shoots a free throw against the Washington Wizards during the fourth quarter at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /

Updated Roster (Projection)

Point Guards

  • Edmond Sumner (~$1,000,000)
  • Tim Quarterman ($1,312,611, non-guaranteed)
  • Chasson Randle ($1,312,611, non-guaranteed)
  • Derrick White ($1,549,500, rookie scale)

Shooting Guards

  • Courtney Lee ($11,747,890)

Small Forwards

  • Carmelo Anthony ($26,243,760)
  • Mindaugas Kuzminskas ($3,028,410)
  • Jayson Tatum ($2,917,600, rookie scale)

Power Forwards

  • Cameron Oliver ($815,615, league minimum)
  • Kristaps Porzingis ($4,503,600)
  • Lance Thomas ($6,655,325)

Center

  • Festus Ezeli ($7,733,000, partially guaranteed; $1,000,000, guaranteed)
  • Willy Hernangomez ($1,435,750)
  • Joakim Noah ($17,765,000)

If every one of the players listed is kept on the main roster for the New York Knicks, the salary projection would be $88,020,672. That number can be dropped down to $79,975,061, however, if Phil Jackson were to waive Festus Ezeli and Tim Quarterman.

Ezeli has a partially guaranteed contract, and so long as he’s waived by June 30, the Knicks would save an additional $6,733,000 in cap space.

By doing this, the Knicks could conceivably have upwards of $21 million in cap room. That’s a product of cutting $5,712,722 by swapping O’Quinn, Maurice Ndour, and Marshall Plumlee for Ezeli and Quarterman.

That only transpires if Ezeli’s partially guaranteed deal and Quarterman’s non-guaranteed contract are dropped from the books, but it’s within the realm of possibility.

Appealing as this all may be, the number will be cut into by the cap holds New York is responsible for. Fortunately, the Knicks will have done enough work through the draft to be able to play it safe in free agency and retain the services of the quality young players it believes in.

This scenario would open the door for the Knicks to comfortably re-sign Justin Holiday and maintain a solid core moving forward.

Must Read: Non-lottery point guards to consider in the 2017 NBA Draft

The question is: What will the New York Knicks actually do at the 2017 NBA Draft?

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