Following the trade that sent Robin Lopez to Chicago in a package for Derrick Rose, the Knicks will be focused more on frontcourt players than guards in free agency. Joakim Noah has frequently been mentioned as a target for New York, but he’s not the only free-agent-to-be big man from an Eastern rival that the Knicks will be eyeing.
According to Ian Begley of ESPN.com, some members of the Knicks organization are high on Timofey Mozgov, who will be on the team’s radar during the free agent period. As Begley observes, Mozgov would be similar to Lopez in that he wouldn’t require touches, and would provide rim protection and rebounding. And while his upside isn’t as high as Noah’s, Mozgov is younger and healthier than the longtime Bull.
Here’s more on the two New York teams, as they prepare for free agency:
- The Nets will enter July armed with a ton of cap space, and according to Steve Kyler of Basketball Insiders (Twitter link), there’s mutual interest between Brooklyn and free agent guards like Rajon Rondo and Brandon Jennings. Having agreed to send Thaddeus Young to Indiana, the Nets could have enough cap room for two max free agents, but it’s probably more likely that they spread that room out to sign a few players.
- Another free agent guard, Jamal Crawford, is anxious, but excited, for free agency to begin, as Dan Woike of The Orange County Register details. Woike reports that Crawford has a meeting scheduled with the Clippers, but is also expected to receive interest from the Knicks and Nets, among other teams. The Heat, Raptors, Mavericks, and Magic may also have interest in Crawford, per Woike.
- The Nets were one of three teams to have a traded player exception expire within the last few days, with their $1.358MM TPE going unused. The Hornets had two small trade exceptions expire, while the Grizzlies lost a minuscule TPE. The details on those four exceptions can be found here.
Nets could sign themselves a starting 5,
Rondo, Crawford, Barnes and Ryan Anderson to add with Lopez and a young bench
Nets are going to be bad for a while. Their organization is a mess. Hope their owner will be patient with GM because it will take quite a while to fix that crapshow.
Yes they will be bad for awhile, and it used to be a bad team got the edge with large salary caps to sign players but now that the cap grows for every team not many free agents will choose Brooklyn as a destination
They could, but their bench would be a bunch of young guys or old veterans looking to make just earn a paycheck.
That is possible, but Rondo doesn’t shoot often or score a lot. You are putting the majority of your offense on the shoulders of Crawford and (an unproven 1/2 option) Barnes. Defense should be good. Will be more of a set up/half court offense.
The nets suck
I agree. That’s why you’re the SportsGenius.
The Nets’ new GM’s first move was a loser (unloading Thaddeus Young for an unwise pick at #20). Let ’em spend the money on young guys who are victims of the numbers game who can grow together.
Two legions and icons in sports died , that make 4 in couple week. Rip buddy Ryan . He was one football greatest defense minds of all time . If it wasn’t for him defense today would not be what it is . My prayers go to his family , his friends , and to all his children which includes all his former players, and to his fans. Know lets talk to greatest coach in sports history mrs. Pat Summit. She was one greatest of ladies ever and if any little girl or woman needs to have some one to admire and look up to , Then please look at her l Legacy. She was every thing women should be and look up to. Rip Mrs. Pat Summit . She was not just a women’s basketball couch , She was true leader, mentor , and mother to her son and all of her daughters( her players) and every person that went to Tennessee . She touch every person that lives in one of greats. state ever in Tennessee and to any person that that every saw her. If you love basketball or any sport. Please take a moment during this day say thanks and prayers to both of them . Because they both touched millions people. My heart is truly is sad for both of them. World has changed with loss of not only 4 great sports legends in Mr. Gordie Howe , Mr Muhammed Ali . Mr Buddy Ryan, and one of greatest true Ladies of all time Mrs Pat Summit