The New York Knicks will have a failsafe plan in case they strike out on their big quest to lure max-level free agents to the city that never sleeps.

While the Knickerbockers have aimed to get the likes of Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, Kawhi Leonard, and others, there has been no clear indication that any of them will join the team in a few days when free agency starts.

According to ESPN's Zach Lowe, the Knicks could then turn to signing players on one-year deals, employing a similar reset-like strategy as the Los Angeles Lakers last year:

There is at least a kernel of truth to the Lakers' interest in a reunion, sources say, but L.A. has a lot to sort out. Russell fits the Knicks' timeline in case they strike out on bigger fish, but all indications are that New York will pursue short-term deals in that scenario, sources say. The Minnesota Timberwolves' pathway to a Russell deal is murky. Other unexpected sign-and-trade candidates will poke around.

The strategy worked out for the Lakers to a degree, as they were able to wait one year and then trade for Anthony Davis, finally pairing a superstar with LeBron James. However, Los Angeles was a major disappointment in 2018-19.

One issue with the Knicks is that they've already traded their superstar player in Kristaps Porzingis, and could face yet another disappointment of a season by playing with a dilapidated roster. It would, however, allow them to press the reset button in 2020 and try again, should any max-level talents become available for trade or as incoming free agents.