New York Knicks rumors: Knicks to pursue Marc Gasol?
The New York Knicks entered the offseason with one major goal – re-signing star forward Carmelo Anthony. They met that goal, inking Anthony to a five-year deal. Prior to that, they completed a blockbuster trade with the Dallas Mavericks just before the draft. They dealt center Tyson Chandler and point guard Raymond Felton to the Mavericks for point guard Jose Calderón, center Samuel Dalembert, swingman Wayne Ellington, point guard Shane Larkin and two second round picks, the 34th and 51st-overall selections of June’s draft, which were used on former Wichita State Shockers’ swingman Cleanthony Early and Greek swingman Thanasis Antetokounmpo.
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The Knicks hoped to make some bigger moves but will instead let the contracts of big men Amar’e Stoudemire and Andrea Bargnani following the 2014-2015 season and use their cap space to make a big move in a year.
Ian Begley notes that Knicks’ president Phil Jackson would like to spend his cap room on multiple players but they may wind up making a giant offer to Memphis Grizzlies’ center Marc Gasol, who will be an unrestricted free agent.
"So what does Jackson have to work with?The Knicks could have $18 million to spend in free agency in the summer of 2015. That may be enough to land a max player, such as Marc Gasol.But Jackson said last month that the Knicks may instead look to sign multiple players with their cap space."
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.