The New York Knicks shocked the basketball world in Tom Thibodeau’s first season as head coach. Not only did they qualify for the NBA playoffs, but they earned homecourt advantage in the first round, locking down the No. 4 seed in the Eastern Conference.
The Knicks rebuild is way ahead of schedule now and they will be looking to upgrade their roster this summer. New York should be seen as a viable destination again for free agents, as the team is winning.
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The Knicks will have plenty of cap space to use this upcoming summer. A portion of that should go toward some of their free agents, as Nerlens Noel, Alec Burks, Derrick Rose and Reggie Bullock are all set to become free agents this summer.
The position that many people have pinpointed as the most in need of an upgrade has been the point guard spot. Elfrid Payton has drawn the ire of fans throughout his time spent in New York and could be replaced this offseason.
While many people have been hoping for Lonzo Ball to come to The Big Apple, another player to keep an eye on is Los Angeles Lakers point guard, Dennis Schroder. Schroder is set to hit free agency this summer and is looking to cash in big time.
Schroder already reportedly turned down a four-year, $84 million offer extension from the Lakers in March. Many executives believe Schroder wants to be paid like a top-tier playmaker and that his role with the Lakers may not be what he wants.
“He sees himself as a big-market player, and obviously he wants to start,” said the veteran personnel man.
If that is what he is seeking, the Knicks make for a good match, stylistically, for Schroder. He would immediately step into their starting lineup as the lead guard as he desires.
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Even if Rose is retained, the Knicks will still need another point guard on the roster. Rookie Immanuel Quickley looks best served as a sixth man in the mold of Lou Williams instead of a starting point guard, so adding someone such as Schroder would fill a big hole in the team’s rotation.
Landing Dennis Schroder will not be easy, as plenty of teams will be looking to sign him in free agency. Any team that was interested in Ball or Kyle Lowry at the trade deadline could look to Schroder as their point guard answer this summer.
