State of the Knicks

                                         




Written by: Ken Clayton

                                                    State of the Knicks
Is it safe to say the Knicks made a huge mistake hiring Phil Jackson as their general manager? So far the only thing they have to show for the $12 million annual salary is the 2nd worst record in the league, a dleague roster, and the number 4 pick in Thursdays NBA draft. Phil gotCarmelo Anthony to stay with the Knicks last summer when Melo was a free agent and considered the Bulls and Lakers. Even that seems like a mistake by both parties now. Melo looks like he is going to be stuck in New York  mediocrity while Jackson tries to rebuild the Knicks the next few years.  The next step in the rebuilding process will be huge. The Knicks hold the 4th pick in this weeks NBA draft. For a roster that has holes everywhere except small forward you would think this pick would be pretty hard to screw up. With the two centers Towns and Okafor expected to be gone by the 4th pick the Knicks have some intriging options. Everyone loves the freshman guard from Ohio State Dangelo Russell, but most mock drafts have Russell going 3rd in the draft to the 76ers. If that happens where do the Knicks go from there? The 7"1' European power forward Kristaps Porzingis is getting alot of attention now because of his individual workouts. Scouts are already comparing him to a young Dirk Norwitzki, but nobody expects Porzingis to take the league by storm his rookie year. So that leaves the Knicks still a few years away from contending. There has even been talk of a trade between the Knicks and the Phoenix Suns that would send Eric Bledsoe to New York in exchange for the 4th pick. Not a bad deal but Bledsoe is often injured and may not be the ideal point guard to play with Carmelo.
This would be a much better deal than the one Jackson made earlier in the past season.
In a three-way deal with Oklahoma City and Cleveland, Jackson shipped shooting guards J.R. Smith and Iman Shumpert to LeBron James’ Cavaliers and basically recieved peanuts in return.

It's going to be an interesting summer in New York. As a basketball fan lets just hope the Knicks don't find a way to set themselves further back than they already are.