Now that Carmelo Anthony is locked in for 5 years, the New York Knicks need Phil Jackson to start making smart additions to its roster and make a hard run on players that the team needs rather than those that its fanbase wants. After sending Tyson Chandler and his huge contract to the Dallas Mavericks, the Knicks were managed to get some significant cap relief that would give them flexibility in the future but at the same time lost a defensive anchor in the middle. What the Knicks need need now is a big man who can bolster their front court like soon-to-be unrestricted free agent Greg Monroe per Buckets Over Broadway:
Look at New York's roster. They have seven players under contract for next summer. However, none of them are front court players, provided Carmelo Anthony remains at small forward. The Knicks will definitely be looking to add a significant piece at power forward or center.
Here is where Monroe comes in. Seeing that he did not seek an offer sheet from another team, it is hard to value what Greg Monroe could net in free agency. What we do know is that he is not considered a number one guy to build a team around. If he is the number two guy, he would make for a very solid complementary player.
After signing the Detroit Piston's qualifying offer, Greg Monroe is now set to become an unrestricted free agent next summer in the 2015 NBA Free Agency. Monroe is reportedly unhappy with the direction that the Pistons is heading thats why he declined to sign a contract extension from the the team. With the Knicks heading into a new era of basketball with President Phil Jackson calling the shots and Derrick Fisher manning the helm, Monroe would be in an ideal situation and environment with New York.
Monroe could also be more effective in offense alongside a premiere shooter and scorer like Carmelo Anthony. The Pistons didn't gave Monroe enough space to operate down low with Josh Smith and Greg Monroe clogging the lane.
It certainly makes sense for the Knicks to make a move on Greg Monroe next summer when he becomes an unrestricted free agent. And for a young developing player like Monroe who is looking for a team that can maximize his skills and talents, the Knicks with Phil Jackson and Derrick Fisher is just the right place.
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