The New York Knicks had a bumpy road since trading for Carmelo Anthony; they were swept in the 2011 NBA playoffs and finally won a game in last year’s playoffs against the Miami Heat, but would lose in five games. Amar’e Stoudemire would have a lackadaisical season, Carmelo Anthony would come into the season not in peak form, Iman Shumpert tore his ACL, and we saw Lin-Sanity. The off-season proved to be even more theatrical when New York didn’t match the Rockets offer for Lin, when they publicly acknowledged they would match any offer.
Additions and Subtractions: Traded for Macus Camby by sending out Toney Douglas, Josh Harrellson, Jerome Jordan and picks; traded for Kurt Thomas and Raymond Felton by sending out Jared Jeffried, Dan Gadzuric, rights to Papanikolaou, Giorgos Printezis, picks and cash; signed Jason Kidd, Pablo Prigioni, James White and Ronnie Brewer; re-signed Steve Novak and J.R. Smith.
Obtaining Felton was the right decision, and despite scrutiny, he has lot weight. He seems to be putting a concentrated effort to better himself for the Knicks, but the fact that Dolan allowed Jeremy Lin to leave New York without getting anything in return, that’s the mind-boggling part about NY’s off-season.
The good news, New York re-signed J.R. Smith for pennies, brought back Novak for cheap, and practically stole Brewer. Not to mention, add Jason Kidd and Camby to the fold.
While many will keep an eye on Jeremy Lin in Houston and constantly laugh at New York for giving Houston Lin, New York did make some intelligent choices this summer.
Final Grade: B-
Houston will be trying everything in their power to get rid of the Lin contract by the end of the season.
Rocket management will end up with egg on the face and everyone then will be praising the Knicks decision.