What The Knicks Need To Do During Free Agency

The Knicks are the only team that has been swept this postseason. Even the Pacers and the Sixers eked out victories to retain some form of dignity. To discuss the Knicks’ postseason is simply depressing. Let’s look to the future.

However, in this future, we will refrain from dwelling on the impending lockout or the job security of Donnie Walsh and Mike D’Antoni – though the one sentence version of these topics goes something like this: the players need to cave, Walsh should be re-signed for making a storied franchise once again relevant, and D’Antoni should get one more year with this squad (if he wins, that’s good news; if he loses, the Knicks go after Phil Jackson or Doc Rivers. Win-win).

As evidenced by the Celtics’ rampage, the Knicks’ front office needs to add many pieces to elevate the team to a contender. Fortunately, a number of free agents would have an instant impact on the squad without tremendously thinning the Knicks’ wallet. Even more fortuitously, the Knicks can rid themselves of many of their D-leaguers this offseason – Shelden Williams, Shawne Williams, Roger Mason, Jared Jeffries, and Anthony Carter are all unrestricted free agents. If the Knicks decide to cut ties with Chauncey Billups, they will have a lot more cap room, depending, of course, on the terms of the new CBA.

Whatever the Knicks do, they should not spend a ton of money. They need size and defense at a reasonable price. They will need cap room heading into the 2012 Howard/Paul/Williams Sweepstakes. Here are role players that could potentially propel the Knicks to the next level.

Glen Davis

Big Baby would be a great addition inside, bringing some muscle to a Knicks’ front line that sorely lacks it. But would he leave Boston? More importantly, the Celtics are juggling nine unrestricted free agents. Who will they try to re-sign?

Greg Oden (Restricted)

Oden needs a fresh start. Portland will have the opportunity to re-sign him, but it seems more likely that the Blazers will pull the cord on the former No. 1 pick who has only played 82 games in three seasons. Oden, a jolly giant, would fit in well in the Big Apple, assuming the Knicks can acquire him at a severe discount. He’d ease the inside pressure off Amar'e and potentially resurrect an upsetting career. Although, I have to admit, depending on Oden’s knees and Stoudemire’s back/knees is a frightening prospect.

Arron Afflalo (Restricted)

Among shooting guards, only Dwyane Wade had a better field goal percentage and only Ray Allen had a better three-point percentage. Not bad company. Having a potent shooter would be a tremendous upgrade for a team that played Shawne Williams, Bill Walker, and Roger Mason extensive minutes this postseason.

Nenad Krstic

Another Celt on the list. Krstic can’t be happy about his limited play in Beantown so far this playoffs. Sure, Krstic isn’t a defensive savant, but having a seven-footer down low can’t hurt. Right? Real centers do not come cheap, so Krstic may be out of the Knicks’ price range.

Grant Hill

At age 38, Hill finished seventh in the Defensive Player of the Year voting, and probably should have finished higher. Hill made slightly over $3 million this year. If the Knicks can get him for a year or two at a similar price, their defense would immediately improve. Hill is a discounted version of Shane Battier.

Joel Przybilla

The Vanilla Gorilla is exactly what the Knicks need: a big man who loves rebounding and playing defense, and who doesn’t need the ball on offense. However, like Krstic, Przybilla may be too rich for the Knicks’ blood.