The New York Knicks currently have nine players signed through next season. One of the free-agents-to-be, Landry Fields, would fall under the Bird Exception, because he has played three years for the Knicks.
The key players in the upcoming free agent class is, of course, Deron Williams.
The Knicks do need a point guard, but at what cost? Are they willing to hamper themselves in the cap like they did when they sign Allan Houston to that ridiculous contract? If the answer to that question is anything other than no, then the Knick's brass is dumber than I thought.
They have Jeremy Lin to start at point guard and Toney Douglas is a viable backup. Lin has shown he can handle the duties of the point guard, and with an off-season together this team can gel.
Amar'e Stoudemire is not a good fit for this team, though. He lacks the defensive character for this team to move on.
When the Knicks traded for Carmelo Anthony, the question that was asked was about how the two would coexist on the offensive end. Now that this team has shown defensive character, the questions should be raised about Stoudemire's capabilities on the defensive end of the floor.
So, who they get to achieve what they want on the defensive end? There is only one answer, and he is the man we thought would be a free agent but signed a one-year deal with his club...Dwight Howard.
The Knicks should trade Stoudamire, the 2012 2nd round and 2013 1st and second round draft picks to Orlando for Dwight Howard and Justin Harper (throw-in to cover cap space).
With the addition of Howard, the Knicks would have two anchors on the defensive end rather than one with three solids players out on the perimeter and Amar'e. Also, with Howard playing Power Forward rather than Center, it would give them a mismatch on the offensive end as well.
However, wining the ultimate prize (the Larry O'Brien trophy), is the key to this organization. They haven't won a title since 1973, and the fans have starve for a championship since Game 7 of the NBA Finals in 1994.
As the Phoenix Suns proved, you can win a lot of games during the Regular Season by outscoring your opponent, but you need grit and determination on the defensive end.
I know that Howard just had back surgery, but I believe he can give the Knicks more than Amar'e, even after back surgery. The Knicks road to glory lies on one end of the floor–the defensive side.
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