As the New York Knicks prepare for the offseason, three forwards have already been linked to them in free agency.
The New York Knicks officially started their offseason when the NBA decided to resume play with only 22 teams in Orlando, Florida. With the Knicks holding the sixth worst record in the NBA, they were one of eight teams not invited to return to action.
However, there doesn’t appear to be much sleep lost over missing an opportunity to fly the entire team down to Florida for a few meaningless games. Sure, there were some scenarios that could have put them in a crazy playoff tournament, but the Knicks are probably best served keeping their players away from any possible coronavirus infection and focusing on the offseason.
The first order of business will be hiring a new coach. President Leon Rose has already added several reinforcements to the front office, after exercising incumbent general manager Scott Perry’s option for next season. Former Jazz executive Walt Perrin will lead college scouting; Frank Zanin will help pro scouting, coming over from the Thunder; and the Knicks also added cap specialist Brock Aller to the executive offices.
So with a new coach on the way and fresh faces in the front office, what will the actual roster look like for the 2020-21 season?
New York has three draft picks (a lottery pick, a late first round pick, and an early second round pick) to add youth. But they are expected to supplement their young pieces with veteran players in free agency.
On their wish list, the Knicks are reportedly interested in adding a forward who can shoot. Let’s run down three forwards who have been linked to the Knicks as possible free agent targets.
New York Knicks free agent target: Danilo Gallinari
There are plenty of fans who would love to see a reunion between Danilo Gallinari and the Knicks. The 2008 lottery pick was the Knicks’ highest draft pick since Kenny Walker in 1986, and remained so until the team selected Kristaps Porzingis in 2015.
I remember watching Gallo during his rookie season. I had a mini season ticket package that year, and it was like watching a puppy learn to walk. He was so raw on the court, but you couldn’t help but get excited over this lovable lottery pick that would one day grow up and lead the Knicks back to relevance.
Of course, Gallinari ended up being one of the pieces traded away in the Carmelo Anthony deal with Denver. While never an All-Star, and often injured, after leaving New York, he has built a respectable career as a 6-foot-10 forward who plays as a versatile wing.
The Italian forward hasn’t officially been tied to the Knicks current thinking, but Ian Begley of SNY speculates he will be considered as an option. And Gallinari, himself, recently said he would be open to returning to New York.
The stretch forward turns 32 this summer, but he hasn’t lost the touch on his shot, hitting 40.9% of his threes this season, after connecting on 43.3% last year, both above his 38.1% career average.
If the Knicks could sign Gallo to a short-term deal to give the team some shooting in their frontcourt, it would be a welcome addition.
New York Knicks free agent target: Christian Wood
There are member of the Knicks front office who are reportedly enamored with Christian Wood, a 6-foot-10 power forward who was having a breakout season with the Detroit Pistons before the coronavirus pandemic shut everything down.
What’s attractive about Wood is that his unconventional path to becoming a sought after player puts him in the free agent market at only 24-years-old. After going undrafted in 2015, he worked his way to the NBA, signing ten-day contracts and playing in the G-League.
He finally got an opportunity in Detroit this season, playing in 62 games, and earning starter minutes once Andre Drummond was traded.
Over the final ten games of the 2019-20 season, he looked like a star, at least on a bad team, scoring 24.2 points per game on 57.8% shooting, while pulling down 9.8 rebounds and blocking 1.1 shots. As the Knicks look for a big man who can stretch the floor, Wood shot 38.6% from downtown on over two three attempts per game.
It will be interesting to see what Wood commands as an unrestricted free agent, given the small sample size of success, but young age. He could prove to be a nice addition for New York as someone arriving in free agency with their best days ahead of them instead of in the rearview mirror.
New York Knicks free agent target: Carmelo Anthony
Save the best for last, right? While there are no new reports linking Carmelo Anthony to the Knicks, Ian Begley of SNY believes he will be considered as a possible offseason addition.
The Knicks were reportedly interested in signing him last summer if they had acquired superstar free agents. And Knicks president Leon Rose used to be Melo’s agent. So there is plenty of reason to believe the former scoring champion could return to New York.
Anthony recently talked about the emotional rollercoaster he experienced since being effectively run out of town by Phil Jackson during his final season in New York. While Jackson was fired before Anthony was traded, the damage had been done. The ten-time All-Star spent the last several seasons trying to regain his identify after being forced into unfamiliar roles with Oklahoma City and Houston.
He finally found a safe haven with the Portland Trail Blazers where he has played 50 games this season, averaging 15.3 points on 42.6% shooting, his best shooting performance since his last season with the Knicks.
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The 35-year-old can certainly still play an important role for a contending team, but it remains to be seen whether he would want to return to New York to act as the veteran leader who is no longer a featured player in the offense, even if the players around him aren’t necessarily ready to take over the lead role.