After three tumultuous years, the New York Knicks have fired team president phil jackson days before the start of free agency period. According to Stefan Bondy, the Knicks made the move amid Jackson’s rift with the team’s two superstars Carmelo Anthony and Kristaps Porzingis. Jackson earlier placed the two on the trading block. While the Knicks got offers for Porzingis, they received none for Anthony.
Now, instead of buying out Anthony’s deal, the Knicks will pay Jackson $24 million for the remaining two years on his five-year deal that he signed in 2014.
The Knicks are expected to make the formal announcement Wednesday where they will also reveal possible replacements for Jackson.
With the “Zen Master” and the proponent of the “Triangle Offense” out, Porzingis and Anthony may stay with the Knicks, who are now expected to attract big-name free agents this summer. With Jackson at the helm, free agents have shied away from the Knicks despite being a marquee NBA team with a huge market.
Knicks had three disappointing years under Phil
The Knicks went 80-166 under Jackson, who won 11 championship rings with the Chicago Bulls and the Los Angeles Lakers. The Knicks went 17-65 in his first season and improved to 32-50 the following year. Jackson declared that Anthony “may be better off with other teams” after their season ended with a 31-51 mark.
Porzingis expressed his disappointment over the way things are going with the team, skipping the Knicks’ exit interview and traveling to Latvia for an extended vacation.
Derrick Rose being considered by Knicks
Earlier, it was reported that point guard Derrick Rose might return to the Knicks, who expressed the desire to bring back the former Most Valuable Player (MVP).
According to Ian Begley of ESPN.com, Rose’s return is dependent on several factors, including his health and asking price. Rose earned $21.3 million in the last year of the five-year, $93 million deal that he signed with the Chicago Bulls. A free-agent for the first time in his career, Rose joined the Knicks via trade with the Bulls, where he played for eight years and won the MVP during the 2010-11 season.
Last season, Rose averaged 18 points, 4.4 assists, and 3.8 rebounds in 64 games before a meniscus tear that required surgery abruptly ended Rose’s season. Aside from Rose, the Knicks are expected to pursue small forwards P.J. Tucker or Dante Cunningham, who can both help their offense and defense. As of now, they have $19 million in salary cap space.
