Thoughts on the Summer of 2015

I like the moves Phil Jackson has made.  Goodwill moves like letting Stoudamire  pursue winning a ring elsewhere and the trading of Prigioni to a contender all build goodwill amongst the ranks of the players.  They know Phil will do what's right.  This is a very good thing.

I think too many Knicks fans mistake our won - loss record with the quality of the team that Jackson and company are assembling.  Taken as a whole there is a strong emphasis on team, passing the ball, defense, and selfless play (despite THJ's tone deafness to this message).

All of the trading activity has actually helped the Knicks considerably.  Many teams are now locked into expensive lineups and commitments which will take them out of the free-agency bidding as well as make them think twice about resigning their own players who may get over-the-top offers.  The Jeremy Lin maneuver that Houston executed a few years ago opened a Pandora's box of nasty consequences.

So what might we look for this summer?  Position by position let's take a look.

LG - Langston Galloway has been a game-changer in terms of alleviating the Knicks from needing to gamble too much on expensive PG candidates. gDragic would have been a wonderful catch had the Knicks trade proposal been accepted but it's not the end of the world.  With gDragic, Reggie Jackson, and a few others now locked into new teams, the Knicks could either draft a PG, identify a D-Leaguer,  or pursue Corry Joseph and Patrick Beverly.  Both would be a much more economical buy than Dragic or Jackson.

The good news is that Galloway and Calderon are a perfectly adequate tag team.  Galloway will get much better with playing time and Calderon is a better player than he's shown much of this season.

The dark horse is Alexey Shved who has some potential to get resigned inexpensively should he look as if he could earn his keep.

SG - Should Jackson sign a first or second string PG candidate, Calderon is likely to see more time at the two spot.  Secondly Cleanthony Early may see some time there as well.  However, one of the most interesting team chemistries to watch will be the Trailblazers.  Their trade for Afflalo may be the push Wes Matthews needs to move on.

Matthews is a Phil kinda player. IMO, Mathews will be the #1 Knicks target this summer aside from the draft pick.  He's a great fit.

Danny Green will be another option though probably less likely.

SF - Chances are that Tenacious and Early will lock down long minutes here.  I think Phil is serious about the youth movement and I doubt a free agent will be signed for SF based on what we know today.

AT PF, we fully expect Anthony to play major minutes.  Jason Smith and Lance Thomas will likely be resigned to back him.

At Center, the Knicks will likely draft a highly touted prospect whoever that may be.  Expect Aldrich and Amundson to return.