New York Knicks fans may be overjoyed to be freed from Phil Jackson, but these moves would remind them that nothing will change so long as Jim Dolan’s there.
For a while, things were starting to look up for the New York Knicks. The mood around the Big Apple after Phil Jackson left was a celebratory one. Kristaps Porzingis, Carmelo Anthony, and Jeff Hornacek probably all feel like Russell Westbrook in that Jordan commercial. But the offseason is the easiest way for everyone to remember that this is still the Knicks.
This core isn’t making the playoffs any time soon, and even if they make good moves, expectations will be astronomically high. Because they’re in New York, they’re going to be linked to every free agent, but they’ll have to do more than fire Phil Jackson to convince them to come. And as long as James Dolan is still overseeing things, there’s always the opportunity for a meltdown. Here’s how it could happen.
5. Hiring Isiah Thomas
As soon as this report surfaced, everyone knew that the Knicks would never change, especially since this came a day after they were linked to Masai Ujiri. The difference between those two is like a Lamborghini vs. a 1990s Ford dump truck. And after his first stint with the Knicks was an unmitigated disaster, it’s hard to imagine what Dolan even sees in him.
In a way, Thomas is a lot like Phil Jackson. A figure who was revered during his glory years only to have his reputation tarnished by becoming president of the Knicks. Some of his greatest hits included acquiring Eddy Curry for two picks that turned into LaMarcus Aldridge and Joakim Noah, a sexual harassment lawsuit, and signing Jerome James and Jared Jeffries. As a head coach, his winning percentage was .341, and they only made the playoffs once during his tenure.
If the Knicks want a culture change, Thomas is the last person they should hire since it’ll practically feel like a repeat of the Phil Jackson years. But pulling the trigger on him would be the first in a string of terrible offseason moves for them.
4. Acquiring Rajon Rondo to take minutes away from Frank Ntilikina
Jackson may have done a lot of things wrong, but he did leave the Knicks with a parting gift in Frank Ntilikina. He’s still a raw prospect, but he could turn out to be one of the best guards in this class. Not to mention the only other good move Jackson made with the Knicks involved a draft pick from overseas.
It would be totally understandable if the Knicks felt like they needed to acquire a veteran point guard for him to learn under. The absolute worst move they could make is Rajon Rondo. Derrick Rose already failed as a reclamation project for them, but Rondo might be even worse because of how poorly he gets along with teammates, whether it be Ray Allen, Jimmy Butler or Dwyane Wade. But the Knicks might look at him and think he’s a difference maker since his injury is what sparked the Celtics’ comeback.
Last season was the first time since Rondo’s rookie year in which he didn’t start every game he played. If even Fred Hoiberg can bench him, then there’s truly no saving him. The Knicks aren’t making the playoffs this season anyway, so the best thing they could do is to just #LetFrankBeFrank.
3. Veto a trade involving Kevin Love
One of the worst things James Dolan ever did was veto a trade back in 2013 in which they would’ve acquired Kyle Lowry for Iman Shumpert, Metta World Peace and a first rounder. And every time Lowry and the Raptors play the Knicks, they remind them of this deal that was 99 percent done.
The closest thing they could get to this now is if Dolan shot down a trade package in which Kevin Love was a Knick. A one-for-one swap involving Love and Carmelo Anthony was discussed last season, but the Cavs didn’t pull the trigger. But Love trade rumors have re-surfaced again this offseason, not because of his poor play, but because Anthony and Paul George have expressed interest in playing for Cleveland.
Amidst these trade rumors, it’s easy to forget how good Love was last season. He averaged 19 points and 11 rebounds and shot 37.3 percent from 3-point range. And, at least for a while, he was regarded as a Curry stopper. He remains a vital part of Cleveland’s core, and had he not gotten hurt, he could’ve put up better numbers.
Having Love fall into the Knicks’ lap is one of the best things they could hope for. There’s nobody, outside of Porzingis, on their team that they could give up which would result in a net loss. But knowing Dolan, he would go out of his way to make sure it doesn’t happen.
2. Fill the Carmelo Anthony void by signing Rudy Gay
Most of the top free agents this year are either expected to re-sign with their teams in a formality, or get linked to the Boston Celtics. The Knicks will likely have to sign a free agent if Anthony joins his banana boat partner. One realistic, and hilariously bad, move the Knicks might make in that situation is signing Rudy Gay. Jeff Green is another one, but we’re banking on the Knicks to not stoop that low.
Anthony may have one of the worst contracts in the NBA, but he’s still a phenomenal scorer for his age. He also stuck it out through Jackson’s tenure, which is something not a lot of people can say. It wouldn’t be a surprise if some of his Knicks teammates would be relieved if Anthony left, but the last thing they need is another ball-dominant forward who averages less points a night than him. Not to mention he’s coming off a torn Achilles.
It’s easy to look at his stats and think of Gay as a productive player — that’s what the Thunder are doing — but he’s proven to be extremely detrimental to team chemistry. Signing Rudy Gay is a bad decision either way, but it’d be an even worse one if they did it after Anthony left.
1. Trading Kristaps Porzingis for Iman Shumpert and J.R. Smith
Just because Phil Jackson’s gone, that doesn’t mean that Kristaps Porzingis rumors are going to go away any time soon. Until Porzingis is in a Knicks uniform on opening day, people are going to keep linking him with a move away. However, it is easily the most detrimental move the Knicks could make and thinking he’s anything but untouchable is the worst course of action.
James Dolan may not care as much as Jackson that Porzingis skipped the team’s exit meetings, which he totally lied about when criticizing him over it. But Dolan may think that he could fetch a great return because of his value. The Knicks’ history of getting hoodwinked, combined with the moves that GM LeBron has made, is what might make a Porzingis for Shumpert and J.R. Smith deal possible.
Any package in which Porzingis gets dealt is a bad one, but this is easily the worst since they would effectively be trading their future for the past. It would also be a perfectly roundabout way of reminding everyone that this new Knicks regime is no different from the old Knicks.
Next: 30 best NBA social media accounts to follow
This offseason could either signal the start of a successful culture change in New York, or it could resemble a trainwreck that you can’t watch, but also can’t look away from. Whatever may transpire over the next few weeks, all eyes will be on the Big Apple.