Knicks' Fisher on free agency: 'We'll be able to sign some really good players'

Some might believe that any recruiting advantages the New York Knicks possess have been negated by two terrible seasons and a lack of genuine franchise-building assets, but head coach Derek Fisher doesn't subscribe to that theory.

"There will be a ton of really, really good players that, based on where they are in their careers, would be interested in something that is being built from the ground up with some really successful people involved that have been able to build success in the past," Fisher said Monday, likely referring to himself and team president Phil Jackson, who have 18 championships between them.

"We have some numbers going into free agency. We'll be able to sign some really good players," Fisher added.

The Knicks could have approximately $25 million in cap space even after adding a top pick in June's Draft, and Fisher believes the addition of a prized prospect and financial flexibility will propel the much-maligned franchise forward.

"I think when you put that together, we're going to be in a really good situation as we go forward," the first-year coach said.

The Knicks currently sit dead-last in the overall standings at 12-46, which would give them the best odds of landing the No. 1 overall pick.

Adding a top prospect and a solid free-agent signing to a healthy Carmelo Anthony could put the Knicks back into playoff contention in the Eastern Conference, but a team that has lost more than 79 percent of its games is a lot further away from meaningful contention than a couple of moves.