How the Knicks will make the playoffs...by next season

           Another NBA season is coming to close, and for Knick fans across the country; the NBA season ended before it even began. After losing a franchise record 65 games, its star playing choosing to end his season after he played in a very important All-Star game, so the Knicks were forced to sacrifice their season by playing the likes of D-league players, who might not play in the D-League next season. Finally after finally achieving the 2^nd worst record in the NBA (which could have been the worst record if they did not win 2 of their last 3) the Knicks got the 4^th overall pick in the NBA draft lottery.  If their plan was to sit Carmelo, secure one of the worst records, to obtain the likes of a Jahlil Okafor or Karl Anthony-Towns, two of the best prospects…well that plan did not work.

            But Zen Master and part-time rancher/president of the New York Knicks, Phil Jackson has informed all of Knick Nation that there in fact is a plan. And despite the vagueness of this blueprint of success, Knick fans will reluctantly have to follow this 12-step program. But before Knick fans end up down the unfortunate path of another ill-advised offseason, led by Zen Master Phil with Carmelo still at the helm, I will allow Knick fans to fantasize about what could be, if the Knicks truly had an offseason that led them to the playoffs.

            Therefore I will reward my faithful readers, who also unfortunately happen to be Knick fans with an offseason that could be. If the Knicks decide that they need to drastically change their fortunes with drastically bold moves. And a new way of thinking…

1) Trade Carmelo Anthony.

            When the Knicks acquired ‘Melo’ back in 2011, it was supposed to be a move that would legitimize an organization that had been irrelevant for a better part of a decade. Melo was supposed to bring the Knicks back to a state of relevancy. He was supposed to bring the Knicks back to the finals. But despite what was supposed to have happened, the Knicks, for the better part of Melo’s tenure have stayed in a state of irrelevancy. Whether ardent Melo fans want to lay the blame at his feet or not there is one question that all Knick fans must ask themselves. Can a 31 year-old Carmelo Anthony, coming off major surgery, be the focal point in bringing the Knicks to the finals? If the answer is no. Then there is only one option. Trade Carmelo Anthony. But to whom? And for what? There is a team, who has recently bowed out of the playoffs because of their lack of player who can hit consistent jump shots and carry a team’s offensive burden. Just happens to be a place that Lala has wanted to go for quite some time…

Knicks get…

DeAndre Jordan

J.J. Reddick

Matt Barnes

Hedo Turkoglu

Clippers get…

Carmello Anthony

Tim Hardaway Jr.

The Knicks Ideology:

           

            Since the Knicks missed out on acquiring one of this draft class’s true big men, the Knicks can still acquire one to fill the void. Rumors are hot on the Knicks signing free agent Greg Monroe, but a trade that could center around DeAndre Jordan would be an even larger upgrade, considering Jordan’s defensive prowess. The Knicks would need to acquire Reddick, Barnes and Turkoglu to make the cap work, and all three players are players the Clippers should be more than willing to surrender to acquire Melo. Tim Hardaway Jr. would also be crucial because despite Reddick’s ability to catch fire from the 3-point line, he is a large defensive liability. But on the Knicks, Barnes would be a valuable asset defensively and shooting threes, where Reddick can come off of the bench, in a true role that is meant for him. Since the Knicks are not on the brink of a title, they can live with the flaws in the games of DeAndre Jordan and J.J. Reddick, and continue to build to get back to the playoffs.

The Clippers Ideology:

            This team needs a change. The inability to make even the conference finals year in and year out has to take a toll on the Clippers who must realize the door is closing quicker than ever on their championship aspirations. If Doc Rivers and company are going to be honest with themselves this offseason they must realize that in order to go far in the playoffs you need a player to carry that offensive burden. Melo is a large personality, who likes the limelight on himself, however the company of Doc Rivers and Chris Paul would certainly be enough to convince Melo to contrive himself to one particular role. Much like how Paul Pierce has done in Washington. The Clippers cannot afford to lose titles anymore with DeAndre Jordan missing free throws, or the likes of Matt Barnes, J.J. Reddick or Jamal Crawford being asked to make big shots. This just may be the perfect fit for Carmelo.

2) Free Agency- Don’t Get Flashy

Sign Danny Green, Patrick Beverly, Joel Anthony

The Knicks Ideology:

            Nothing flashy needs to take place for the Knicks offseason, especially if they were able to pull of a trade of that magnitude. Danny Green is a young player who has played well in a great system, but he is a piece, a guy who can fully accept his role. Whether it is off the bench or even in a starter’s role, Green’s ability to hit threes without having to take a huge volume of shots could help any team, especially in the east.

            Patrick Beverly defensive ability in addition to not needing a dynamic playmaker in the triangle offense makes Beverly a great fit in New York. His attitude and hustle would be contagious in a franchise that has lacked attitude in recent years. Looking at the way Beverly plays will remind any Knick fans of the old days with the likes of Anthony Mason, Charles Oakley, or John Starks. 

3) Draft: Trade for DeMarcus Cousins

            Now before all Knick fans lose their minds over this let me clearly explain what should transpire.

            The Knicks trade their first round pick (4^th overall) to the King for DeMarcus Cousins.

            Feel better? Well just to beat a dead horse, let me explain. Because the Knicks did not obtain one of the first two picks in the 2015 draft, they will be forced to decide between three players: De’Angelo Russell, Emmanuel Mudiay, and Kristaps Porzingis. Russell and Mudiay, both athletic point-guards who require the ball to be in their hands at all time, do not fit the mold of “the irrelevant point guard” role in a triangle offense. So if the Knicks are determined to hang onto the triangle, Russell or Mudiay do not fit the bill. Then it comes down to the 19 year old from Latvia, Kristaps Porzingis. The “Latvian Lioniger” (he doesn’t have a nicnkname yet, but I think this works) is 7 feet tall, and has a game that reminds you of Pau Gasol. But he is 19. If the Knicks are going to make the playoffs next year, they need to make this pick count, and not too many players from either America or Europe come over and make an impact at age 19. So if the Knicks are going to make this work, they need to trade this pick and acquire DeMarcus Cousins

            George Karl is going to hit the reset button at some point in Sacramento and that is going to mean the departure of Cousins. The Kings also have the 5^th pick, and if they are able to acquire one of those point guards with the 4^th pick and draft potential with the 5^th, those could be the building blocks Karl requires.

            DeMarcus Cousins will remind Knick fans of a much more athletic version of Zach Randolph, who the Knicks gave up on way too early. While Cousins has attitude issues his production cannot be argued with and teaming up with the other players the Knicks could acquire in this dream scenario would make for one scary lineup in the east. Just take a look:

Knicks 2015-16 Lineup

C- DeAndre Jordan

PF- DeMarcus Cousins

SF- Matt Barnes

SG- Danny Green

PG- Patrick Beverly

B- J.J. Reddick

B- Hedo Turkoglu

B- Quincy Acy

B- Andrea Bargnani

B- Cleanthony Early

B- Langston Galloway

B- Joel Anthony

            This team would have defense, Cousins would be the focal point in the triangle, and the Knicks would have enough shooters to surround him to make things interesting once again in New York. The Knicks would also have plenty of attitude and determination to go around with the frontcourt of Jordan, Cousins and Barnes, which again, is something they have lacked for years.

            Now could everything turn out this way? Absolutely not. It is not the moves I have suggested that should come under scrutiny, and I am sure Knick fans will want to take their shots. But it is this organization's inability to think creatively in solving the multitude of problems they have. This stagnate way of thinking has crippled one of the most historic franchises in sports history because they keep attempting to build something they have never had. It is not a matter of what players the Knicks acquire in the summer months, because the Knicks have proven, it practically doesn't matter who they acquire. But rather with what direction they are going in? If it is in this continued direction of Carmelo Anthony's superstar status leading the way, Knick fans need to ask themselves where does this road end? If Anthony is still the focal point, Knick fans will not have live in suspense, because it will bring them to the same destination they lived in for the past 16 years.

            But it is interesting to think what could happen if the Knicks ever rid themselves of what is “supposed” to happen. The Knicks have traded away, gave up on, would could have been key contributors over the years in an effort to build a team that could rival any superstar led Lebron James team. You are ‘supposed’ to get a superstar if you are going to win. Which is what led them to give up on the likes of a Zach Randolph, Danilo Galinari, and Jeremy freckin Lin*, but to sign a Amare Stoudemire, and Carmelo Anthony. But the Knicks, with or without Phil Jackson (another guy they were supposed to bring along), if they are going to return to one of the team teams in the NBA must ride themselves of this thinking. If not, the Knicks will never be an intuitive organization and will constantly be playing catch up to the rest of the meager Eastern Conference.

* I know Jeremy Lin is not exactly the best example, but keep in mind, that when the Knicks were actually playing well, a role player like Jeremy Lin excelled. Plus who doesn’t love Jeremy Lin!?!?