NBA Rumors: New York Knicks targeting Marc Gasol in 2015

The New York Knicks traded for point guard Jose Calderón to provide an upgrade at the position, but they also hope Calderón can help the team make pitches to free agents.

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Calderón will start by making his pitch to forward Carmelo Anthony this summer, but according to Marc Berman of The New York Post, he also could help recruit Memphis Grizzlies’ center Marc Gasol, who is set to become a free agent after the 2014-2015 season.

"Great space and cap space that can be used in 2015 for one of Calderon’s best friends, Memphis center Marc Gasol, who becomes a free agent next summer and would fill the club’s glaring need in the pivot.Calderon could be a magnet for both Gasols. Pau Gasol is also a free agent this summer, loves Jackson, the triangle and may need a change of scenery from Los Angeles. He probably would have to take a decided paycut, as the capped-out Knicks have just the $3.27 million taxpayer mini-midlevel exception.Asked if he would try to recruit some of his “friends’’ on the free-agent market, Calderon said: “For sure, this is my team. I’m going to help to improve it as much as I can. Anybody that we can get here or would be interested, I’d be willing to talk to, to try to make them come to the Knicks. I think we are one of the best franchises ever. Everybody wants to play here. So hopefully we can get those guys in New York.”"

As Berman points out, Calderón could also help recruit Pau Gasol, who Knicks’ president Phil Jackon coached in Los Angeles with the Lakers and would like to sign this summer.

Marc Gasol went for 14.6 points, 7.2 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 1.3 blocks and 1.0 steals per game while shooting 47.3% from the field, 18.2% from beyond the arc and 76.8% from the free throw line in 59 games.

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