Knicks’ drama might scare off potential free agents

The Knicks’ wild week may have sent up red flags to potential free agents about the direction of the franchise. Quality players may be deterred from considering the Knicks until something changes drastically.
We’re talking about what happened with former Knick fan favourite Charles Oakley, who was banned from Madison Square Garden on Friday in the aftermath of his physical altercation with security officers during the first quarter of Wednesday night’s Knicks game.
Potential free agents have taken notice of team president Phil Jackson’s treatment of Carmelo Anthony as he tries to trade the Knicks’ best player.
The bottom line is this: the Knicks are losing on the court, off the court and in the court of public opinion – and all of it could impact their ability to get quality free agents.
“I think that should always be in the back of people’s minds,” Anthony said.
The top free agents weren’t coming before: Kevin Durant wouldn’t meet with the Knicks last year, LaMarcus Aldridge cancelled his meeting with them the year before, and LeBron James never really considered them when he’s been a free agent. But the Knicks still should be concerned about the lasting effect this season could have on their long-term future. It doesn’t sound as if this management team is going anywhere.
Knicks owner James Dolan said on Friday on ESPN Radio that he will honour Jackson’s five-year deal so he’s not going anywhere, unless Jackson decides to opt out after this season. Dolan said he doesn’t anticipate Jackson opting out.
After the Oakley incident, TNT analyst and former Knick villain Reggie Miller tweeted in support of Oakley and told Newsday’s Neil Best that “It’s unfortunate because that will be the last image for most New Yorkers. Instead of him diving on the floor for loose balls or diving in the stands and sacrificing his body, he’s getting body-slammed by eight off-duty police officers in a place that he called home for 10 years.
Other prominent players all came out in support of Oakley, including James, Chris Paul and Dwyane Wade.
Those three, incidentally, are Anthony’s best friends in the NBA and three of the most influential players. They see how the Anthony-Jackson relationship has deteriorated. Unnecessary comments and tweets by Jackson and critical columns about Anthony from writers with long relationships with Jackson indicate he’s trying to push out Anthony, who has a no-trade clause in his contract.
You can forget about Anthony, James, Paul and Wade – which they call “The Brotherhood” – joining forces in New York in the near future. It could happen though in Miami, Los Angeles or Cleveland before they all hang up their sneakers.
Kay asked Dolan if he’s concerned that Jackson’s handling of Anthony would hurt the chances of signing free agents. Dolan said he’s staying out of it, and he’s letting Jackson run the basketball department.
“That is totally within Phil’s control,” Dolan said. “He has to address that. He has to be concerned about that. I am not going to weigh in on those things that I said I wouldn’t weigh in on.”
It doesn’t mean the Knicks won’t get players. But they may not get franchise-changing ones. That said, Jackson and general manager Steve Mills should spend more time finding trades for Derrick Rose, Brandon Jennings and Kyle O’Quinn than Anthony, who can veto any deal.
With Kristaps Porzingis and Willy Hernangomez, and Joakim Noah in the first year of a four-year, $72 million contract – he’s not going anywhere with that deal – O’Quinn is expendable.
Rose and Jennings will be free agents in July, so the Knicks should try and get something instead of letting them walk to create additional cap space. More money doesn’t mean the Knicks will be able to sign any difference makers, and this season hasn’t helped their chances.