Seems scoring on the New York Knicks will be a bit tougher once the NBA season kicks off.
The defensive-minded Tyson Chandler will sign with the Knicks to the tune of $58 million for 4-years.
“I just think the future of the team, you know, being able to play alongside Amare Stoudemire, Carmelo Anthony and the young talent that they already have, I feel like puts us in contention over the next four or five years,” Chandler said on the radio.
This is a solid pick up for New York as he will be paired with Stoudemire and Anthony making this trio a lethal front court.
However, did this move cost the Knicks a shot at signing Chris Paul should he stay in New Orleans the entire season and become a free agent in the offseason? Perhaps.
Melo and Amar’e already have a max-contract with New York and Chandler’s deal will put them out of contention of offering Paul a max-deal should CP3 decide to simple become a free agent after this season. As a matter of fact, New York’s salary cap will be inflexible at targeting a big-name free agent next offseason and this season.
The Knicks will be faced with looking at lower-tier players to fill out their roster this season and next.
And even though the Chandler signing is a nice pick-up for New York, it now begs the question, who is going to man the point-guard spot to facilitate the trio now that the Knicks will be letting go of veteran point-guard Chauncey Billups? Anthony Carter? Tony Douglas? Slim pickings if you ask me.
The Knicks sure did a defensive boost but it left a huge gap at point this year and possibly beyond.
