Raymond Felton

Last year the New York Knicks' core of point guards consisted of Raymond Felton, Pablo Prigioni and former point guard turned Brooklyn Nets head coach Jason Kidd. This off season we see the Knicks are in the market for another guard to round out their roster. The measure of a point guard lies in his ability to lead a team. At his best he is an extension of the team's head coach. At his worse, he is a ball-hogging, bloated ego in high tops.

Last season the Knicks' regular season offense was sufficient enough to overwhelm most NBA defenses, with only high caliber Miami Heat and the pre-Russell Westbrook injury Oklahoma City Thunder able to overcome their onslaught and counter it.

On the other hand, teams with stout defenses were able to slow down the Knicks' offensive productivity by simply dog-piling on Carmelo Anthony, who is a below average passer despite having above average court vision. Melo averaged only 2.6 assists last year. Anthony is more likely to force up a shot than pass out of a double team, which plays into the defensive strategy of the other team. This was illustrated by the Indiana Pacers in their recent playoff victories over the Knicks.

Raymond Felton has been something of an enigma for virtually his entire NBA career. He has shown flashes of absolute brilliance in stretches, as was illustrated during the New York Knicks' first round series victory over the Boston Celtics in which Felton averaged 17 points per game and five assists, while shooting 47 percent from the field. He has also been known to implode in critical situations, as was the case during the Knicks' Eastern Conference Semi-final loss to the Indiana Pacers. Raymond averaged 11 points and four assists, while shooting 41 percent from the field for the series. Though the Knicks are on the record as looking for a "back up" point guard, I feel the team would be doing themselves a disservice if they did not select someone who has the resume to push Felton to be more consistent, or potentially supplant him in the starting line up should that become necessary.

Beno Udrih

There also have been recent reports circulating around free agent point guard Beno Udrih. The 31-year-old lefty averaged 10 points and six assists per game in only 23 minutes of playing time last year. He already averages more assists than Felton in less playing time. He is also shooting nearly 40 percent from three-point range. But Udrih only shot 40 percent from the field last season, which is far removed from his career mark of 46 percent.

The numbers say Beno would give the Knicks' a better long distance shooter and a more willing passer at the point. However, Felton is a better defender, a marginally better rebounder, is physically stronger and tougher than Beno. Though one can make an argument as to whether Udrih offers a change of pace for the Knicks (better shooter, willing passer) it is not good enough to warrant him startig over Felton. Beno would be a pretty good back up nonetheless.

Sebastian Telfair

Sebastian Telfair is another name that has come up as far as would-be back up Knick point guards are concerned. His career averages of seven PPG and three assists are about as average as you can get. He is not a particularly strong defender and his career shooting average of 39 percent leaves room for improvement. A chasm for improvement might be more like it. At this point in his career Telfair has shown little to indicate he is, or has ever been, better than average. He's clearly a back up with virtually no chance to supplant Felton as a starter barring a catastrophic injury.

Jannero Pargo

Jannero Pargo averaged eight points and two assists in 18 games backing up Kemba Walker for the Charlotte Bobcats last season. But he, in my opinion, does not offer much of a change up. Felton can do everything Pargo can do, but he is simply better at doing it. I feel as though the Knicks could definitely do better. Pargo would be a slight defensive upgrade over Pablo Prigioni, but isn't nearly as skilled a passer. I see no reason to pull the trigger here other than the fact that Pargo is younger than Prigioni. Then again, 90 percent of the league is younger than the 37-year-old Prigioni. So that's really not saying much.

Mo Williams

Mo Williams appears to be the most intriguing selection of all the potential point guard signings for the New York Knicks. Once considered something of a combo guard, Williams has shown that he can pass the ball at a pretty decent clip over the past three seasons or so. He averaged 13 points and six assists in 46 starts for the Utah Jazz during the 2012-13 season.

Williams is arguably the best outside shooter among the respective free agent candidates as well, shooting 43 percent from the field, 38 percent on three-pointers and 88 percent from the free throw line. Though not as quick as Felton, Williams still has plenty of foot speed and has shown the ability to finish with soft floaters in the lane or he can rely on soft lay ups around length if need be.

Overall, I feel that Williams is the best of the respective candidates and he has the ability to supplant Felton, but will only do so if Felton comes out the gate playing below his ability. Raymond would also need to be doing so for an extended period of time in order to force coach Mike Woodson to change starters. Williams would supply a great change of pace by contrast to Raymond. At the very least he would immediately become one of the best back up point guards in the league from day one.

Delonte West

Delonte West is not really a point guard though he was pressed into service as one for the Dallas Mavericks during his 44 game stint there during the 2011-12 season. He averaged nine points per game along with three assists. The 6' 4" combo guard is more likely to take it to the hoop and throw it down than any of the others on this list and his career field goal percentage of 45 percent is a reflection of that. He also is an above average perimeter defender.

If Felton were to falter due to injury or performance West could potentially be a very interesting change of pace. However, court vision and ball movement are paramount for the New York Knicks and West is not an upgrade over either of the Knicks' current point guards as far as those are concerned. Also, New York already has a younger, more athletic player on their roster who plays a role similar to the one West would fill. His name is Iman Schumpert.