All season long, the biggest weakness for the New York Knicks has been the play at point guard. Jose Calderon, Jerian Grant and Langston Galloway have all struggled on the court, and the Knicks are suffering losses as a result. While many consider an elite point guard the biggest need for the Knicks in free agency, Phil Jackson denies the idea.
Jackson is pointing to his past success as the reason for why the Knicks do not need to spend big on a point guard. When he was with the Los Angeles Lakers and Chicago Bulls, neither team had a dominant point guard and still managed to win games. Jackson is looking at that as main examples as to why the Knicks do not need to go all in on someone in free agency.
"Chasing a point guard, where it becomes just an obsession, isn't necessary. It's not necessary. We can play the game without that," Jackson said. "We went to a two-guard format, and I think we were successful at it. I think we caught a lot of people in the league by surprise because of the way we played. So it works, and we know it works."
Jackson might be on to something, but regardless the Knicks need an upgrade. Even if that does not come in the form of a max contract, the Knicks need help at the position. Jose Calderon is not expected to stick around. Galloway will need a new contract. Grant is barely playing. The Knicks have been linked mainly to Rajon Rondo and Mike Conley, who are major upgrades from everyone on the roster right now but will cost money.
Carmelo Anthony has made it clear that he wants Rondo. The franchise star has no plans of dealing with another losing season next year. He wants to recruit big names to the Knicks, and he believes that Rondo is a top target. Rondo has said that he does not like the triangle offense, but Anthony thinks that he can have a lot of success in the role.
"I think Rondo -- just me personally, I don't want to be tampering -- but I've heard he said he wouldn't thrive in a system like this," Anthony said. "I think he'd be perfect in a system like this."
Conley is the other target that the Knicks are planning on chasing. Conley has an expiring deal with the Memphis Grizzlies, and he wants the money. The point guard is planning on chasing the biggest contract he can get while also trying to find a good fit for him in terms of system. The Knicks will be battling Memphis for Conley, as the point guard said that everything is wide open right now.
"I want to win," Conley said. "That's what I want to do at the end of the day, wherever that may be."
If Jackson does not feel Rondo or Conley will be needed in New York, he could target Brandon Jennings, who will be available. A trade for Jeff Teague could also be in the works. Jordan Clarkson of the Lakers will be a restricted free agent. Jackson has options to choose from.
