Phil Jackson has plenty of decisions to make in Year 2 of his reign with the Knicks. On the bright side, things probably can only get better for lowly New York. But who should stay and who should go for that to happen quick?
Carmelo Anthony / 2015-16 salary: $22,875,000.
By far the best player the Knicks have had since Patrick Ewing, Melo has little show in terms of team success in New York. The Knicks have won one playoff series and missed the postseason twice in his five years in the Big Apple. Only Kobe Bryant and Joe Johnson will make more money than him in 2015-16.
Andrea Bargnani / Unrestricted free agent
Scoring numbers don’t tell the whole story with Andrea Bargnani. The Italian forward can get buckets, but has not helped his teams win much lately. Durability has been an issue with Bargs, who has missed 46 percent of games in the last four seasons.
Jose Manuel Calderon / 2015-16 salary: $7,402,812.
Steady point guard with impeccable profesionalism. Was the oldest starting point guard in the NBA last season… and you could tell.
Jason Smith / Unrestricted free agent
Not much or a rebounder or a low-post scorer. Pretty good mid-range shooting for a big man, though.
Alexey Shved / Restricted free agent
Little nugget that will blow your mind: Shved had the 11th-best PER of any point guard in the NBA in 2014-15. Was a pleasant surprise for the Knicks late in the season.
Shane Larkin / Unrestricted free agent
Auditioned for many NBA teams when handed a starting job in the final weeks of the season. Was not all that impressive.
Louis Amundson / Unrestricted free agent
Has played for 10 NBA teams already. Two more clubs and he ties the record shared by Jim Jackson, Chucky Brown, Tony Massenburg and Joe Smith.
Tim Hardaway Jr. / 2015-16 salary: $1,304,520.
Could not build on a successful rookie season in New York. With a very reasonable salary, hard to picture the Knicks getting rid of him.
Cole Aldrich / Unrestricted free agent
Averaged a career-high 5.5 ppg, 5.5 rpg and 1.1 bpg with the Knicks. You can do worse when looking for a backup center.
Lance Thomas / Unrestricted free agent
Has played in the D-League, China and three NBA teams since he turned pro four years ago.
Quincy Acy / Restricted free agent
Energetic and undersized power forward that started 22 games for the Knicks in 2014-15. Had always been a reserve.
Cleanthony Early / 2015-16 salary: $845,059.
Looked good in a short stint in the D-League, but wasn’t very effective in the minutes he received with the Knicks. Jury is still out on him.
Travis Wear / Restricted free agent
Beat out Travis Outlaw for a roster spot in training camp. Decent shooting touch, although not much of a threat down low.
Langston Galloway / 2015-16 salary: $845,059.
Started the season in the D-League and finished in the NBA All-Rookie 2nd Team. Really took advantage of the chance New York gave him.
Ricky Ledo / Unrestricted free agent
Has not distinguished himself in his few opportunities with Dallas and New York.
