Jared Katz

Period 5
4/26/17

6 Moves The Knicks Must Make In Order To

Become Playoff Contenders Again
Introduction

The New York Knicks, founded in 1946 by Joey DiSpirito, have had multiple disastrous seasons in
the last decade. The two time NBA champions, have only been to the playoffs three out of the last ten
years, and are desperate to land back in contention. Finishing 32-50 in 2015-16 and 31-51 in 2016-17,
they need a concrete game plan if they expect to make the 2017-18 NBA playoffs. Currently, they are
coached by Jeff Hornacek, and their roster is highlighted by ten time all star Carmelo Anthony, and global
sensation Kristaps Porzingis. Even with two star players, the Knicks managed to finish 12th place in the
Eastern Conference, and obtain the 7th best odds in the 2017 NBA lottery. If the Knicks intend to make the
2017-18 NBA playoffs, there are six crucial moves that they would have to make.

Fire Current President Phil Jackson

Phil Jackson, arguably one of the greatest head coaches of all time, was hired by the Knicks at a
position he had no experience at. He helped the Chicago Bulls achieve an improbable record of 72-10 in
the 1995-1996 season, while leading them to six championships in nine years. Soon later, he joined the
Los Angeles Lakers, as a head coach, and created a dynasty with all time greats, Shaquille ONeal and
Kobe Bryant. The trio of a hall of fame head coach, hall of fame center, and potential hall of same shooting
guard was unstoppable. They were able to win five championships in eleven years. Out of all the
unbelievably successful seasons, Jackson had no experience as a team president.

Jackson was hired on March 18, 2014. He has infamously forced the triangle offense, fired every
head coach he hired, and disrespected the players. On April 24, 2014, about one month after he was
hired, Jackson fired Mike Woodson. Woodson, coaching the Knicks for two full years, lead the team to a
91-73 overall record, and an Eastern Conference Semifinal. He had a successful 2 seasons, but Jackson
did not like where things were going after being a plausible 9th seed in the Eastern Conference. On June
10, 2014, Jackson hired one of his favorite point guards that he coached, Derek Fisher. Fisher have no
experience at all, was chosen over veteran head coaches. Nearly a year and a half later, Jackson fired
Fisher after a disappointing season. A few hours later, he hired long time coaching friend Kurt Rambis as
interim head coach. Rambis not succeeding at all, was fired and Jeff Hornacek was soon hired. In the
matter of two years, two months, and twenty days, Jackson was able to fire two head coaches, name one
interim head coach, and hire two head coaches. In comparison, Gregg Popovich, future hall of famer, has
spent the last twenty one seasons with the San Antonio Spurs, and has created them into repeated
championship contender each year. It is obvious, that Jackson feels that he is able to hire his
inexperienced friends, to run the most valuable basketball team in the world.
 Another problem Jackson has, is that he forces the infamous triangle offense. I will get more in
depth later, but here is a summary: the triangle offense is one of the most complicated offenses ever used.
Jackson learned about the triangle offense when he was coaching with assistant coach Tex Winter.
Although, it is the hardest offense to learn, it is the hardest to play defense against.

Lasty, Jackson has a history of insulting players, and gaining a poor reputation from the media. He
has insulted anything and everything, from players to states. Some players he has insulted are Shaquille
ONeal, Vladimir Radmanovic, Ron Artest, Kevin Durant, Steve Nash, and Carmelo Anthony. That is not
even all of them. That just proves what type of person Jackson is.

It is clear, that Jackson is not a fit for the Knicks, and his career here is over. After going, 80-166 in
three full seasons, it's time for Knicks owner, James Dolan, to open his eyes and see that Jackson is
ruining the Knicks. With Jackson, the Knicks have gone from 9th place in the east (2013-14) to 12th place
(2016-17).

Trade Carmelo Anthony and Joakim Noah

Carmelo Anthony and Joakim Noah, combined, are took up more than 41% of the salary cap in the
2016-17 season. Neither proved to be an all pro, nor a franchise player last season. If the Knicks were to
move Anthony and Noah, they would save millions of dollars. With these extra money, they could spend it
on players in free agency and go below the cap. If they go below the cap, then they could save more
money for the star studded 2018 free agent class. This would also mean that James Dolan would not have
to pay any luxury tax. In order for the Knicks to trade Anthony, he would have to waive his no trade clause.
If he doesnt, this trade will not work. Anthony has stated that he wants to go to a team that has potential,
other than the Knicks. The Phoenix suns would be a great place for him to go. The Suns would receive
their franchise player, while Devin Booker progresses, and the Knicks would obtain draft picks, young
players, and an overpaid player off their roster. The trade the Knicks should propose, that the Suns would
most likely accept is:
 This would work well for both teams because it fits their needs. The Knicks need a future. They will
be getting that with one first round pick, and one first round pick swap. In addition, they pick up their young
point guard, Tyler Ulis. Tyson Chandler will be an acceptable role player, but the only reason the Knicks
would want him is so the trade will work salary cap wise.

The next trade the Knicks should make is sending Joakim Noah to Dallas. The Mavericks are
desperate for a big man, and Dirk Nowitzki may retire soon, which puts them in more need. The trade
would look like this:

The Knicks would do this because they get rid of a worthless center, in which they already have
Kristaps Porzingis to switch to the position. They would also gain a backup center and another pick to add
to the other from the Carmelo Anthony trade. The Mavericks would most likely get this pick, because if the
Knicks do well next season, they will have a pick outside of the lottery. In addition, the Knicks would also
save $15,150,790. That is great amount of money, that could be very useful if used correctly. This is a
situation where the Knicks, Mavericks, and Suns would win, because they fill all of their needs.

Abandon the Triangle

As mentioned before, the triangle is an intricate offensive system that is hard to defend, but hard
to run. If Phil Jackson was not president of the Knicks, then they would not be running this horrible
offense. The Knicks are not successful with the triangle because they do not have a point guard who can
run the floor effectively. The most successful teams that used the triangle was the 1999-00 Lakers and the
1995-96 Bulls.The 1999-00 Lakers had two of the top players in the league. Those players were Kobe
Bryant and Shaquille ONeal. Bryant averaged 22.5 points and 4.9 assists per game. Bryant was the
prototypical guard, who was able to score from anywhere on the court, and was able to see every part of
the court. ONeal was a monster under the rim, which lead him to become a hall of famer. The 1995-96
Bulls were arguably one of the best teams of all time. They were lead by Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen,
and Dennis Rodman. All three hall of famers had their own roles. Jordan ran the court averaging 30.4
points, and 4.3 assists per game. Rodman was the rebounder and Pippen was the other scorer.
 The Knicks have had no where near the star power of these two teams. Last season the Knicks
starting point guard was Derrick Rose. Rose averaged 18 points and 4.4 assists per game, but lacked the
floor general characteristic. The season before last was even more disastrous, with Jose Calderon as the
starting point guard. Calderon averaged a weak 7.6 points and 4.1 assists per game. Like Rose, Calderon
was unable to take control of the team.

Obviously, the Knicks will not be successful with the triangle, due to their point guard power.
Although this is the main issue the is another minor one. The players/coaches do not want to run it. The
only person who has faith currently in the triangle in Phil Jackson. All time great Gary Payton stated in an
interview, "You have to have players that can run a system like that. I did it in 2004 and it was not for me. I
was used to coming off pick and rolls I could not do it. I had to go to this spot, I had to backdoor this way.
And if you break down the play, Phil would be up screaming on you." Payton, a player under the triangle,
had a strong hatred for the infamous defense. He later stated, "Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen had
that team. Shaq and Kobe had that team. They had players who come off and make big plays like that.
(The Knicks) do not have the players to do that. Jeff Hornacek, Knicks current head coach, even admitted
that the players do not like the triangle stating, Guys dont like to run it. The Knicks are going to
continually have disastrous seasons if they keep the triangle offense.

Sign a Paint Protector in Free Agency

The Knicks finished last season with atrocious defensive statistics. They were 23rd in opponents
points per game, 22nd in opponents field goals made, and 24th in opponents field goals attempted. Most
of the opponent's points were made inside of the paint. The Knicks defense was completely different on
the 3 point shot. They were 8th on opponents 3 point shots attempted, and 7th in opponents 3 point made
rate. Their 3 point stats are not needed to be fixed at this point, but their paint stats need to be improved
tremendously. The Knicks will have to look deeply into free agents to chose a perfect fit for a paint
defender. The best choice would be power forward Serge Ibaka. Ibaka, currently on the Toronto Raptors,
in averaging 14.8 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks per game while making an average 12.25 million
per year.

If the Knicks were to sign Ibaka, the best inside defender in free agency this year, they would most
likely pay him somewhere around what he is making now, 12 million dollars. Ibaka has made the NBA All-
Defensive Team 3 times in his career. Signing Ibaka would be a major upgrade from Joakim Noah, and
would take less money. The Knicks would positively be better than the 75% of teams at defense that they
are currently worse than, if they signed Ibaka.

Sign a Two Way PG in the 2017 NBA Draft

The Knicks have not had an all-star point guard in forever. The Knicks could change the frightening
statistic by picking a point guard in the 2017 NBA Draft. The point guard loaded draft is highlighted by
Markelle Fultz, Lonzo Ball, DeAaron Fox, Dennis Smith Jr., and Frank Ntilikina. The Knicks need a point
guard who can play both defense and offense.

Currently, the Knicks have the 7th best odds in the draft lottery, which means that they will most
likely get the 7th pick in the draft. The Knicks could most likely draft Frank Ntilikina, but the best prospect
for them to acquire, realistically, is DeAaron Fox. Fox, playing at Kentucky this last season, was ranked
2nd offensively, and 3rd defensively out of the top point guards in this draft by Bleacher Report.

Fox is projected to be a top five pick in this years draft, but if he slips, the Knicks will surely snatch
him. If the Knicks secure him, they will not have to spend 10-20 million dollars on a point in free agency,
and rather pay a young draftee a couple million. To include, Fox would stay with the Knicks for more time
than a free agent would most likely stay for.

Another potential star that the Knicks could draft is Frank Ntilikina. Ntilikina is almost guaranteed to
be on the board when the Knicks draft him. If Fox were to be picked before the Knicks, Ntilikina is an
exceptional player to get. He has played the three years in France on Strasbourg of the BCL. He is a
strong defensive player who has a tremendous feel for the floor. International players are known for their
defensive skills, and that is what the Knicks desperately need. Unlike Fox, Ntilikina has already had pro
experience, and has won two olympic gold medals. Both, Fox and Ntilikina would be great prospects for
the Knicks to select in the upcoming draft.

Let Derrick Rose walk in free agency unless he signs a perfect contract

Derrick Rose has played for the Knicks for only one year, and has already proven to be a waste of
money. He is currently making $21,323,252 which is more than 6 all stars. Those 6 all stars are making an
average of $12,882,575. He is averaging 18 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 4.4 apg, and 32.5 mpg. In comparison, the
average point guard is averaging 10.7 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 4 apg, and 32.5 mpg. The most underpaid point guard
in the league, is Deron Williams. Williams is making a league minimum $410,733, while averaging 11 ppg,
2.3 rpg, 5.6 apg, and 25.9 mpg.

Rose has not played well for the Knicks this season, and should either leave in free agency, or take
a massive pay cut. In comparison to Williams, he is as equal or even worse than him. If the math were to
be done, Roses next contract should look like this: 2 years, $7,531,326. This would be his stats compared
to the average point guards stats, and then reduce the salary. The average point guard's career is until
thirty years old. Knowing Rose has had a career full of injury, it would be safe to say that he would not play
past thirty years old. This would give him two more years in the league.

Although the contract would be 2 years $7,531,326, there is no way he will make this little. So once
the cap increases this upcoming summer, his perfect contract should look more like 2 years $15,062,652.
If Rose and the Knicks are unable to agree to somewhere in the range of this contract, the Knicks should
let him leave. Rose was not a vital piece to the roster this year, so letting him leave would not be a big
deal.

Conclusion
 In conclusion, the Knicks need to work very hard this summer, to accommodate all of these moves.
Although it is unlikely, it is very possible. The Knicks would have to accommodate their needs, while not
messing the whole roster up. The Knicks moves would include firing Phil Jackson, trading Carmelo
Anthony and Joakim Noah, not running the triangle, singing a interior defender in free agency, selecting a
two way point guard in the draft, and letting Derrick Rose leave in free agency if they can not agree on a
perfect contract.

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