When Carmelo Anthony re-signed with the Knicks for the next half-decade despite a subpar supporting cast and a lack of draft picks, assets and immediate cap space, everyone knew New York was going to have to rely on 2015 free agency.
Now one of the team's targets for the summer has been revealed.
After years of being bogged down by long, lucrative contracts, the Knicks will finally have cap flexibility next summer, and according to the Memphis Commercial Appeal's Ronald Tillery, they will use it to chase Grizzlies center Marc Gasol.
"There already is a strong belief that Knicks boss Phil Jackson will target Gasol because of his belief that Gasol is the quintessential center to play in the triangle offense," Tillery wrote Sunday.
Jackson, of course, coached older brother Pau Gasol to two championships with the Lakers.
In addition to that aforementioned offensive fit, Gasol is also one of the best two-way big men in the NBA, winning the Defensive Player of the Year award for the 2012-13 season.
Gasol is set to earn more than $15.8 million in the final year of his contract this season, and Memphis' franchise player will surely be seeking a maximum contract in free agency.
Gasol's value to the Grizzlies was on full display last season, when the team went 10-13 while Gasol was sidelined with a knee injury but 40-19 when the big man was available.
After being drafted by the Lakers in 2007, the Grizzlies are the only NBA team Gasol has ever known, and just because the Knicks covet him doesn't mean he will be eager to leave The Music City.
The Knicks have also been linked to Rajon Rondo in 2015 free agency rumors.
The Knicks will see $35 million come off their books just between the expiring contracts of Amar'e Stoudemire and Andrea Bargnani alone.
Samuel Dalembert, Jason Smith and Cole Aldrich are also off the books after this season, while J.R. Smith has a $6.4 million player option and Pablo Prigioni's final season is not fully guaranteed.
(H/T Pro Basketball Talk)
