Well, this rumor had to be started at some point.
Who put money on it beginning before the season was even underway? Because you won.
According to Ronald Tillery of The Commerical Appeal (via Pro Basketball Talk), the New York Knicks have eyes for Marc Gasol:
The New York Knicks don’t appear positioned to be a championship contender in the near future. But could that change by pairing Gasol with Carmelo Anthony? 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.
Anyone else not at all surprised? Thought so.
The Knicks’ interest in the Memphis Grizzlies big man was inevitable. He’s a great passer, solid scorer with some range and a pesky defender. He’s exactly the sort of tower Phil Jackson’s triangle offense needs, but doesn’t yet have in New York.
Should we outfit him in orange and blue now?
Not quite.
Purported interest doesn’t guarantee his arrival. Gasol has been open about liking Memphis, and though he hasn’t ruled out exploring his options, there will be other teams after him—better teams. Perhaps his relationship with point guard Jose Calderon and brother Pau Gasol, a Jackson pupil, will give them the inside track. Or maybe it won’t mean a damn thing. The Knicks aren’t built to set the world on fire this season, after all. Another lottery berth or an early postseason exit would be a turnoff.
The Knicks also need to figure out whether they want to invest heavily in a big man. Gasol will be on the wrong side of 30 by the time he reaches free agency. Big men not named Tim Duncan don’t typically age well. Can the Knicks afford to invest four years and tens of millions of dollars in one?
Can they afford Gasol at all?
If adding another superstar alongside Carmelo Anthony is the end goal, Gasol isn’t the safest bet. Signing him could also remove the Knicks from the 2016 Kevin Durant sweepstakes. The projected cap eruption helps their cause, but there’s a real chance an aging Anthony and Gasol would be their two lone, long-term stars. That’s not enough to make it past LeBron James’ Cleveland Cavaliers.
No use thinking that far ahead, though. No point even thinking about Gasol’s free agency either. The 2014-15 season only just began, and there’s no telling what will happen to the Knicks or Gasol between now and then.
Dan Favale is a firm believer in the three-pointer as well as the notion that defense doesn’t always win championships. His musings can be found at Bleacherreport.com in addition to TheHoopDoctors.com.
