Projecting the New York Knicks' 2016 Rotation

Projecting the New York Knicks' 2016 Rotation

By Joseph Crevier

November 3, 2014

Projecting the New York Knicks' 2016-17 Rotation

New York Knicks — Poised for major cap relief in the summer of 2015, the New York Knicks will seek immediate improvements to their roster to potentially compete for a championship next year. Phil Jackson alone should be enticing enough to draw interest from the elite caliber free agents, not to mention the chance to compete alongside Carmelo Anthony. With ample cap space to acquire two maximum salary contracts, here's a projection of the Knicks roster in 2016-17.

Poised for major cap relief in the summer of 2015, the New York Knicks will seek immediate improvements to their roster to potentially compete for a championship next year. Phil Jackson alone should be enticing enough to draw interest from the elite caliber free agents, not to mention the chance to compete alongside Carmelo Anthony. With ample cap space to acquire two maximum salary contracts, here's a projection of the Knicks roster in 2016-17.

PG: Rajon Rondo

Rajon Rondo

PG: Rajon Rondo

Rajon Rondo — New York has failed to get over the hump during the Carmelo Anthony era for various reasons, but the most glaring being the absence of a solid two-way point guard. Rajon Rondo is the ideal fit for the Knicks and perhaps the most realistic option next summer in free agency. He has long been rumored to have interest in playing in New York and the max contract waiting for him should be enticing enough to attract the four-time All-Star.

New York has failed to get over the hump during the Carmelo Anthony era for various reasons, but the most glaring being the absence of a solid two-way point guard. Rajon Rondo is the ideal fit for the Knicks and perhaps the most realistic option next summer in free agency. He has long been rumored to have interest in playing in New York and the max contract waiting for him should be enticing enough to attract the four-time All-Star.

SG: Kobe Bryant

Los Angeles Lakers

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SG: Kobe Bryant

Los Angeles Lakers — Rumors began to heat up recently, involving a trade of Kobe Bryant landing him in the Big Apple. Not totally inconceivable, but unlikely without a reasonable trade package to offer. If the Black Mamba does opt to make one last run at the title when his current contract expires in 2016, though, New York is the most logical option. Any deal would command Bryant take a significant pay cut, but a rising salary cap should clear about -10 million.

Rumors began to heat up recently, involving a trade of Kobe Bryant landing him in the Big Apple. Not totally inconceivable, but unlikely without a reasonable trade package to offer. If the Black Mamba does opt to make one last run at the title when his current contract expires in 2016, though, New York is the most logical option. Any deal would command Bryant take a significant pay cut, but a rising salary cap should clear about -10 million.

SF: Quincy Acy

New York Knicks

SF: Quincy Acy

New York Knicks — An absolute bruiser on the boards, Quincy Acy offers the Knicks fantastic rebounding for his position at a bargain price. After bouncing around early on in his career, Acy has finally landed in New York where his scrappy, old school style will win over the fandom of New York. Playing alongside ball dominant players like Rondo, Anthony and Bryant, the Acy is the ideal fit, as he seldom demands the basketball unless his mid-range shot is falling.

An absolute bruiser on the boards, Quincy Acy offers the Knicks fantastic rebounding for his position at a bargain price. After bouncing around early on in his career, Acy has finally landed in New York where his scrappy, old school style will win over the fandom of New York. Playing alongside ball dominant players like Rondo, Anthony and Bryant, the Acy is the ideal fit, as he seldom demands the basketball unless his mid-range shot is falling.

PF: Carmelo Anthony

Carmelo Anthony

PF: Carmelo Anthony

Carmelo Anthony — Carmelo Anthony forced a trade to New York with one goal in mind: a championship ring. Since joining the team in 2011, Anthony has failed to lead his Knicks past the second round, most recently missing the playoffs at the hands of an inferior Atlanta Hawks team. Although Anthony deserves to shoulder some of the blame, the majority falls on James Dolan's plate as he has failed to surround him with competent NBA players.

Carmelo Anthony forced a trade to New York with one goal in mind: a championship ring. Since joining the team in 2011, Anthony has failed to lead his Knicks past the second round, most recently missing the playoffs at the hands of an inferior Atlanta Hawks team. Although Anthony deserves to shoulder some of the blame, the majority falls on James Dolan's plate as he has failed to surround him with competent NBA players.

C: Marc Gasol

Memphis Grizzlies

C: Marc Gasol

Memphis Grizzlies — A lifetime member of the Memphis Grizzlies, Marc Gasol is set to sign his very first maximum contract next summer entering his eighth season. The front court tandem of Gasol and Zach Randolph has led Memphis to multiple playoff appearances, but can never fully thrive in such a small market. We witnessed how Phil Jackson elevated Pau Gasol to Hall of Fame status, so there's no reason why he can't do the same for Marc Gasol in the triangle offense.

A lifetime member of the Memphis Grizzlies, Marc Gasol is set to sign his very first maximum contract next summer entering his eighth season. The front court tandem of Gasol and Zach Randolph has led Memphis to multiple playoff appearances, but can never fully thrive in such a small market. We witnessed how Phil Jackson elevated Pau Gasol to Hall of Fame status, so there's no reason why he can't do the same for Marc Gasol in the triangle offense.

Sixth Man: Tim Hardaway Jr.

Tim Hardaway Jr.

Sixth Man: Tim Hardaway Jr.

Tim Hardaway Jr. — Tim Hardaway Jr. will enter the final year of his rookie contract in 16-17 at the bargain price of 2.3 million. Hardaway offers instant offense off the bench, electrifying the crowd with his tremendous ability to shoot the three ball. Though he may never reach superstar status like his father, Hardaway Jr. has the potential to manifest himself into a legitimate Sixth Man of the Year candidate in the foreseeable future.

Tim Hardaway Jr. will enter the final year of his rookie contract in 16-17 at the bargain price of 2.3 million. Hardaway offers instant offense off the bench, electrifying the crowd with his tremendous ability to shoot the three ball. Though he may never reach superstar status like his father, Hardaway Jr. has the potential to manifest himself into a legitimate Sixth Man of the Year candidate in the foreseeable future.

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New York Knicks

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