WASHINGTON, DC – MARCH 10: Head coach Mike Miller of the New York Knicks and RJ Barrett #9 of the New York Knicks (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
The New York Knicks might be able to add a veteran by taking on a bad contract.
The New York Knicks have the worst winning percentage in the NBA over the last 20 seasons, and the front office is looking for a quick fix this offseason. Not only did they hire a coach in Tom Thibodeau who works better with tough, veteran players as opposed to a younger core of stars, but they have shown a willingness to trade for a high-level starter.
Ian Begley is reporting that James Dolan and the front office will consider using their cap space in order to take on a contract that looks unsightly, meaning a game-changing starter could be headed to Madison Square Garden. Presumably, eating a bad contract would also net them some sort of sweetener from the other team looking to clear their cap sheet.
The Knicks might be able to add an All-Star level player if they take on their contract
One name that immediately stands out as an option to join the Knicks is Houston Rockets guard Eric Gordon. A Daryl Morey favorite that could easily be moved after their offseason house-cleaning, Gordon still has four years and $75 million left on his deal. Houston might try to free up space by ditching Gordon, and Thibodeau could benefit. The Rockets don’t have any first- or second-round picks in this year’s draft but they could attach a marginally useful young player like Danuel House or Ben McLemore to entice the Knicks.
Cleveland Cavaliers big man Kevin Love isn’t expected to be a free agent until 2023. While the Knicks don’t present a significantly better win-now opportunity for the aging vet than the Cavaliers, the potential of playing out his contract in New York might appeal to him. The Cavaliers would probably be looking for some return on Love, besides just a straight salary dump. But perhaps including a swap of shaky prospects, something like Dante Exum and Jordan Bell for Kevin Knox would work.
While there have been some Victor Oladipo rumblings, the most likely and most earth-shaking move that the Knicks could make would be again going to the Oklahoma City Thunder and pilfering Chris Paul. Paul’s $83 million over the next two years are ugly in all 50 states. However, the future Hall of Famer could not only be an excellent mentor for New York’s young core, but he would be their most dynamic scorer the second he touched down. The Thunder will probably be looking for a draft pick and loathe to attach one to get rid of Paul’s deal but maybe sending him out with Hamidou Diallo would be reasonable.
This squad has plenty of ways to go about finding a new co-star for Barrett, but they may have to take on some ugly contracts to do so.