NBA Free Agency: New York Knicks Want Francisco Garcia and Matt Barnes

May 3, 2013; Memphis, TN, USA; Los Angeles Clippers small forward Matt Barnes (22) shoots the ball in game six of the first round of the 2013 NBA Playoffs against the Memphis Grizzlies at FedEx Forum. Memphis Grizzlies defeated the Los Angeles Clippers 118-105. Mandatory Credit: Spruce Derden-USA TODAY Sports /

The New York Knicks are in the market for a point guard and small forward as we enter the NBA free agency period. As far as amall forwards go, the Knicks apparently are pursuing Francisco Garcia and Matt Barnes despite the presence of available cap space.

The reported interest in the forwards comes from Marc Berman over at The New York Post:

"After the additions of 7-foot power forward Andrea Bargnani and first-round pick Tim Hardaway Jr., the Knicks are still looking to add a prototype small forward to their roster, in addition to a point guard.According to an NBA source, the Knicks are pursuing Rockets free agent small forward Francisco Garcia and former Knick Matt Barnes. The Knicks traded small forward Steve Novak in the Bargnani deal and are not confident they can re-sign forward Chris Copeland."

It’s going to be a task for the Knicks to fit either player under the salary cap at this point, especially with the team also having an interest in a variety of the point guards on the market.

Now that Novak is gone the interest makes sense. Barnes is the important name to watch here as he could provide a nice role off the bench while giving the Knicks some suffocating defense—something the team has been missing for some time now.

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