New York Knicks 2015 New Year’s Resolutions

Dec 21, 2014; Cleveland, OH, USA; Memphis Grizzlies center Marc Gasol (33) drives to the basket against Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Love (0) in the first quarter at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports

Be Very Giving

When teams have cap space, it usually burns a whole in their pocket. They want to give it out to whoever wants it. The Knicks will be no different this offseason, but they need to make sound decisions about it. Luckily for them, there are a few players that would fit their long term plans.

The most popular option is Marc Gasol, the current center of the Memphis Grizzlies. He would be a godsend for the Knicks, as his playing style would fit perfectly into the schemes Fisher is trying to implement offensively and defensively. His ability to be a playmaker in the high post and a threat in the lost post to score is exactly what is needed for the triangle offense to succeed and be run correctly. The fact he is a two-way player as well would greatly benefit the Knicks, as their roster currently has too many players that are solid on only one end of the court.

Another player to keep an eye on would be Detroit Pistons’ big man Greg Monroe. Monroe would be a great fit for the Knicks as a starting power forward alongside Gasol, or as his own entity. Monroe is another talented big with the ball in his hands, as he can make the right pass, and he also is a threat in the post to score. If the Knicks were able to combine Monroe and Gasol, it would give them one of the better power forward/center combinations in the NBA. That is as much a pre-requisite for success in the triangle as having a dominant scorer; without threats in the paint, the rest of the triangle would crumble as defenses would be able to put more attention else where.

Another thing needed for the triangle to succeed is shooters to surround the go-to scorer and post players. Luckily for the Knicks, there is one that could be available, as Wesley Matthews will be an unrestricted free agent for the Portland Trail Blazers. The Trail Blazers will have plenty of decisions to make regarding their own players, as they also need to pay LaMarcus Aldridge this offseason, in addition to eight other restricted and unrestricted free agents on the roster. If the Knicks were able to snag Matthews from the Blazers, it would be another player that plays both ends of the court efficiently that the Knicks wouldn’t have to worry about covering up for on one end of the court.

There could be other players the Knicks like, as the inner thinking and workings of the team are known by only a handful of people. But one thing even people outside of the organization know is that the Knicks cannot afford to mess this up. They have to spend wisely, not just throwing money at people for the sake of spending money. They have a system in place and stability for the first time in a long time in management, so there is no need to speed the process up for a minimal gain. They just have to stick to the plan and continue shaping the roster in a way that will make the Knicks a contender once again, instead of the laughing stock they have become more often than not in recent history.