Under new head coach Jeff Hornacek, the New York Knicks are hoping to improve their record for the second straight season and hopefully get back to the playoffs. In their pursuit of greener pastures, New York's front office has cited the point guard position as a spot that needs to be upgraded.
There's no shortage of options; the Knicks currently have PGs Jerian Grant, Tony Wroten, Langston Galloway, and Jose Calderon. They're all serviceable players, but not one of them is considered to be a true difference-maker.
As a result, general manager Steve Mills and president Phil Jackson will be actively searching for a stronger replacement this summer.
From ESPN's Ian Begley:
“It’s clear we need a lead guard, someone that can really carry the load, day in and day out. That’s something that I think is one of our biggest needs,” Mills said on MSG Network in “Jeff Hornacek: A Knicks Beginning.”
So, what are their options?
Begley reports that the Knicks have great interest in the Los Angeles Lakers' Jordan Clarkson, but considering he's only going to be a restricted free agent, he likely won't be available.
Clarkson shot 34.7 percent from three-point land while averaging 15.5 points and four rebounds per game this past season. Given that he was drafted in the middle of the second round in 2014, Clarkson has been a pleasant surprise that the Lakers won't simply let walk away this early on without getting anything in return.
Begley acknowledges that the Knicks will likely pursue free agent to be Mike Conley, who's set to hit the market unless something turns around in Memphis.
Mills is keeping his options open, though. From Begley:
“The most important thing is to find out and figure out what players we think fit into how we’re going to play,” Mills said. “So it’s to identify a pool of 30 or 40 players that we really believe can fit into the [Knicks’] style of play.”
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