It was announced earlier today that the New York Knicks and Phil Jackson mutually picked up the final two years on the former coach’s contract.
Jackson and the Knicks added in a two-year option following the third year of his contract seeing that he refused to work through a lockout, which was avoided this year thanks to the league and Player’s Association agreeing on a new collective bargaining agreement.
The Knicks have been a disappointing 80-166 over Jackson’s three years with the team. Recently they finished the 2016-17 season with a record of just 31-51.
After signing Joakim Noah to a four-year, 72-million-dollar deal in the offseason and traded for former MVP Derrick Rose, New York fans saw a glimmer of hope. But that hope was crushed when the offense proved to be dysfunctional, Noah kept getting injured and Carmelo Anthony was in a constant loop of drama and trade rumors.
With this option, Jackson will remain with the organization through the 2018-19 season. For fans this is a mixed bag, but here are a few things that they can latch onto for the upcoming offseason.
Draft Pick
Even with the mediocre season, the Knicks will pick no later than the ninth pick overall in what is considered the deepest draft in more than a decade. This means they could potentially get a franchise player with their pick.
It isn’t hard to see them coming out of the draft with a shiny new point guard like De Aaron Fox or Malik Monk if they hit the five-eight range in the lottery.
Cap Space
No, they won’t have enough to offer a max contract to a top tier free agent, but that doesn’t mean they are out of luck. This is the time to sign some young talents to their first big deal and hope they can make a star or even just a good player out of them.
New York will have roughly 20 million in cap space to work with this offseason. My recommendation is to take some risks on young, cheap contracts or take on salary for picks. No Gordon Hayward is even going to look in their direction anytime soon.
Carmelo Anthony
Do I think Carmelo is still a top 20 player in the league? No, but he is still an amazing scorer that can provide for any team he is on.
Jackson made it pretty clear he wanted Melo gone this season, but it didn’t work out. This offseason I can almost guarantee it will.
My prediction is that a three-team trade involving the Knicks, Los Angeles Clippers and Oklahoma City Thunder will take place during free-agency.
The Knicks will send Melo to the Clippers, the Clippers will sign-and-trade Blake Griffin to a max-deal as he heads home to Oklahoma City and the Thunder will part ways with Enes Kanter and Oklahoma folk hero Kyle Singler to make the money work with New York.
Kanter is a solid post scorer that might be a good compliment to the one true hope New York has. Knicks fans, it is time to pin all your hopes on Porzingod.
