Phil Jackson has his eyes on the future. The New York Knicks are going nowhere this season and as frustration rises amongst the team, their GM is aiming to spend a lot of money this offseason on big names. The Knicks failed to get the best free agents a year ago and he wants - and needs - to change that in the upcoming free agency stint. Chandler Parsons is joining the team's wish list.
The Knicks have a lot of needs to address in the upcoming offseason. They need an elite point guard and scoring help to take pressure off Carmelo Anthony. They did not achieve that this year and it's showing. With plenty of money to spare, they can spend big, and Parsons will be part of the chase.
Parsons is about to very popular this summer. The forward will be an unrestricted free agent following a stint with the Dallas Mavericks, and he is expected to demand a max contract. The Mavericks can offer a four-year, $96-million deal, while other teams can only give Parson's a $92-million deal over four years.
The Knicks might want Parsons, but do they have a place for him? Anthony is the scoring power forward. Robin Lopez is the starting center signed to a contract worth four years and $54 million. Kristaps Porzingis is the future. That doesn't leave room for Parsons, but Jackson needs big names and he fits the bill.
The more reasonable target for the Knicks is Mike Conley. The Memphis Grizzlies point guard has said he will consider all options when the time comes, leaving the Knicks to believe they have a chance.
"They've got talent," Conley said. "Obviously Porzingis surprised a lot of people. He is going to be very, very good in this league. He already is pretty good, but he is going to grow each year, and they already have one of the best small forwards in Melo."
Of course the Knicks will dip their toes into the Kevin Durant pool, but chances are slim they are able to land the current Oklahoma City Thunder star. Rajon Rondo, Brandon Jennings and DeMar DeRozan will circle the Knicks' rumor mill as well once the free agent market opens up.
No matter what, Jackson needs to find players that will please Anthony. Currently holding on to a no-trade clause in his contract, Anthony is not going anywhere any time soon, but another bad run in free agency could leave him thinking otherwise.
"It gets frustrating," Anthony said. "The losing gets frustrating, disappointing. The way that we ended that game was disappointing. At that point [toward the end of the rout], I think my head was in the towel. I was just trying to breathe, just try to relax, kind of gather myself a little bit at that point."
