Jared Jeffries is one of those believers.
“I never thought they would let him go,” he told ESPN New York via text message on Sunday.
Jeffries himself wanted to return to the Knicks, but the team made Marcus Camby its priority to back up Tyson Chandler.
The New York Knicks have acquired point guard Raymond Felton on Saturday in a sign-and-trade deal with the Portland Trail Blazers that will also bring Kurt Thomas to the Knicks and send Dan Gadzuric and Jared Jeffries to the Blazers, according the multiple media outlets.
The New York Knicks made a move Saturday to secure a point guard, although not the one everyone expected. The Knicks have picked up Raymond Felton via sign-and-trade from the Portland Trail Blazers for Jared Jeffries and Dan Gadzuric, as reported by Frank Isola of the NY Daily News. The Knicks also pick up veteran [...]
Stats: Player Age G MP MPG PER TS% eFG% TRB% AST% TOV% USG% Jared Jeffries 30 39 729 18.7 10.9 0.484 0.42 12 5.4 14.2 12.6 Per 36 Minutes: FGA 3PA 3P% FTA FT% ORB DRB TRB AST STL BLK TOV PF PTS 7.1 0.8 0.188 3.6 0.681 3.4 4.1 7.5 1.3 1.4 1.2 1.4 [...]
The NBA‘s free agency is arguably the most important aspect of the summer since the draft is only two rounds deep.
That said, role players are vitally important for depth and reliability purposes in making a championship run. Restricted free agent Omer Asik of the Chicago Bulls is a prime example, because his youth and production have paid great dividends for the Windy City’s frontcourt.
Before we get to Asik though, there are some other role players that must get re-signed to ensure confidence when giving the starters a rest. Here, let’s check out key role players teams must retain.
Full view of 2012 NBA Free Agents
Jared Jeffries: F, New York Knicks
The Knicks must keep reliability behind Amare Stoudemire in the frontcourt and retaining Jared Jeffries is the answer.
Despite starting just four games in 2011-12, Jeffries averaged almost 19 minutes per game and grabbed 3.9 boards and 4.4 points. He also averaged a career-best 68.1 percent from the line. Obviously with more playing time these numbers will get inflated, so his effectiveness has been proven in a limited role.
New York also has seen Jeffries contribute well in the past, as he played in 236 games from the 2006-07 season through the 2009-10 season. With the ability to work the base line and occasionally challenge shots on the perimeter, Jeffries is needed in the Big Apple to fight for an Atlantic Division title.
Goran Dragic: PG, Houston Rockets
After backing Steve Nash in Phoenix from 2008-09 through part of the 2010-11 season, Goran Dragic started a career-high 28 games in 2011-12. Although he was the No. 2 point guard to Kyle Lowry (started 38 games), Dragic has the potential to be the No. 1 guy for the entire upcoming season.
While with the Suns, Dragic played in 183 games and appeared in 16 playoff games during the 2009-10 season.
Averaging 26.5 minutes for the Rockets last season, he can help Houston on both ends. With 11.7 points, 1.3 steals, 5.3 assists and an 80.5 free throw percentage a year ago, Dragic is on the verge of a breakout season.
Houston finished just two games out of the postseason and will make the playoffs with Dragic going from role player to starter in 2012-13.
Omer Asik: C, Chicago Bulls
Omer Asik enters the 2012 offseason as a restricted free agent, so Chicago must be wary of remaining deep in the frontcourt and not losing a strong rotational player.
For one, Asik played in all 82 games as a rookie and then appeared in all 66 this season (starting two). He may be a seven-footer that averaged only 14.7 minutes per game last year, but Asik has more athleticism than given credit for.
He also played in 15 playoff games in 2010-11 and started three of six for the Bulls this postseason. Now he does need to become a more efficient scorer and putting down free throws, that however, will come with development as Asik is only 25 years old.
A defensive force at rebounding, it’s imperative the Bulls keep Asik aboard for the long-term future, because depth is necessary for them to continue being Eastern Conference title contenders.
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The backup center shared those sentiments with ESPN New York by phone on Wednesday from Bloomington, Ind., where he played college ball and currently hosts a summer basketball camp for kids, ages nine to 13.
“I know that the Knicks are interested. I love New York,” he said. “I’m still proud that I’ve been part of back-to-back playoffs.
It might not be especially easy for Lamar Odom to wind up in a New York Knicks uniform, but that doesn’t mean he can’t try.
The latest word on the disaffected forward apparently has New York atop his preferred options for next season (via Ian Begley’s special for ESPN New York):
But a source with knowledge of Odom’s thinking says the New York Knicks would be “on the top of his list” if the Queens native becomes a free agent.
“Lamar is big on being comfortable,” the source said. “And New York is somewhere he can be comfortable.”
The Knicks’ interest in Odom is unclear at this point.
Comfort isn’t the only advantage to being in New York, of course, but after a season with the Dallas Mavericks that never got off the ground, it wouldn’t hurt.
Odom spent the offseason upset at the Los Angeles Lakers for hanging him out to dry, and he never found his rhythm in Dallas. After averaging just 6.6 points in 20.5 minutes a contest over the course of 50 games, Odom and the Mavericks agreed to part ways (at least somewhat amicably).
But the Mavericks still retain control of Odom, meaning the team will either have to trade or waive him before he can officially move on.
While it’s theoretically possible that New York could swing a trade, there’s little doubt the team would prefer to sign him at a reduced rate. Given that Dallas would still owe him $2.4 million in the event he’s cut loose, Odom might be willing to accept such a deal—especially if it meant getting his career back on track.
If he can eventually find his way to the Knicks, there’s reason to believe he’d make for a good on-court fit.
The Knicks could use a power forward who can rebound, pass and spread the floor—at his best, Odom fits that profile as well as anyone.
With Amar’e Stoudemire crowding Carmelo Anthony’s preferred floor space and Jared Jeffries an epic liability on the offensive end, Odom could find himself a niche in the rotation. He also has a wealth of postseason experience and could become something of a sixth man for head coach Mike Woodson.
For now, we have nothing more than a report about Odom’s frame of mind, but hopefully the Knicks will find a way to bring Odom into the fold. If he comes inexpensively, it’s worth a shot.
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