PG: Jose Calderon
SG: Langston Galloway/Tim Hardaway Jr.
SF: Cleanthony Early
PF: Carmelo Anthony
C: ???
2015 Free Agents
PF Quincy Acy (RFA)
G Alexey Shved (RFA)
PF Travis Wear (RFA)
C Cole Aldrich
PF Lou Amundson
C Andrea Bargnani
PG Shane Larkin
PF Jason Smith
F Lance Thomas
2015 Draft Picks
1-4
Team Needs
Considering the Knicks have no definitive rotation players under the age of 30, the Knicks essentially need a whole new roster. At this point, Carmelo Anthony should be playing as many of his minutes as possible at power forward, which means they likely go in a different direction with their single draft pick in this draft. Besides that, any other position is possible: center, wing, shooting guard, even point guard. Jose Calderon still has value but will turn 34 before the start of the next season, so point guard is certainly a direction New York could go it.
Potential Fits
New York has a plethora of options at 4. Assuming Karl Towns and Jahlil Okafor are off the board and Philadelphia takes one of Ohio State SG D'Angelo Russell, Emmanuel Mudiay, and Croatian wing Mario Hezonja, the Knicks will have their choice of one of those remaining two in addition to Kentucky center Willie Cauley-Stein, Duke wing Justise Winslow, and forward Stanley Johnson of Arizona. Because Kristraps Porzingis fits best at power forward and is a little more of a project, I don't see New York being interested. They have been rumored to be interesting in Trey Lyles, but not even New York is that inept. Barring a trade down, that leaves them to look at Russell, Mudiay, Hezonja, Winslow, Johnson, and Cauley-Stein. Cauley-Stein would step right in as their starting center and defensive anchor, similar to how Tyson Chandler played for them in the past. Johnson and Winslow would be strong wing defenders to put alongside Carmelo that have had some success creating and making shots. Hezonja is a better offensive player on the wing, but might lack as high of a defense ceiling. Mudiay might be the best prospect with the highest upside of this group, but he isn't an ideal fit in the triangle offense, though I think he could still excel there. Russell on the other hand is an ideal fit, and I do think if Philadelphia goes in another direction he will be the pick for them. Because of how empty their roster is, a trade down for more picks is a definite possibility, which will open up an number of other options. Another rumor de jour is swapping picks with Denver in exchange for Ty Lawson.
New York has a plethora of options at 4. Assuming Karl Towns and Jahlil Okafor are off the board and Philadelphia takes one of Ohio State SG D'Angelo Russell, Emmanuel Mudiay, and Croatian wing Mario Hezonja, the Knicks will have their choice of one of those remaining two in addition to Kentucky center Willie Cauley-Stein, Duke wing Justise Winslow, and forward Stanley Johnson of Arizona. Because Kristraps Porzingis fits best at power forward and is a little more of a project, I don't see New York being interested. They have been rumored to be interesting in Trey Lyles, but not even New York is that inept. Barring a trade down, that leaves them to look at Russell, Mudiay, Hezonja, Winslow, Johnson, and Cauley-Stein. Cauley-Stein would step right in as their starting center and defensive anchor, similar to how Tyson Chandler played for them in the past. Johnson and Winslow would be strong wing defenders to put alongside Carmelo that have had some success creating and making shots. Hezonja is a better offensive player on the wing, but might lack as high of a defense ceiling. Mudiay might be the best prospect with the highest upside of this group, but he isn't an ideal fit in the triangle offense, though I think he could still excel there. Russell on the other hand is an ideal fit, and I do think if Philadelphia goes in another direction he will be the pick for them. Because of how empty their roster is, a trade down for more picks is a definite possibility, which will open up an number of other options. Another rumor de jour is swapping picks with Denver in exchange for Ty Lawson.
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