The New York Knicks are expected to become very active on the free agency market next summer with reports indicating that they are interested in acquiring Memphis Grizzlies center Marc Gasol.
The Knicks will be playing in their first full season under team president Phil Jackson and head coach Derek Fisher, who will implement the triangle offense - the system that made Jackson very successful as a coach.
And according to Ronald Tillery of the Memphis Commercial Appeal, Jackson believes that Gasol could make them a title contender next season if they manage to pair him alongside Anthony, saying that the 29-year-old forward is perfect for the triangle offense.
"The New York Knicks don't appear positioned to be a championship contender in the near future," Tillery wrote via Pro Basketball Talk. "But could that change by pairing Gasol with Carmelo Anthony? There already is a strong belief that Knicks boss Phil Jackson will target Gasol because of his belief that Gasol is the quintessential center to play in the triangle offense."
Gasol, who averaged 14.6 points to go along with 7.2 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game last season, is known for his high basketball IQ and passing ability.
The six-year veteran could become an unrestricted free agent after the 2014-15 NBA season and several teams are expected to make a run at signing him next summer.
Aside from the Knicks, EJ Ayala of Basketball Insiders reported that the Celtics are also expected to chase Gasol along with other bigs like DeAndre Jordan and Roy Hibbert after the upcoming season.
"As far as free agency the Celtics have mentioned a need for a big man to anchor the paint at the center position for some time now so it would not surprise me to see them go after someone like Marc Gasol, DeAndre Jordan, or Roy Hibbert if he finds his game on a contract year," Ayala wrote.
While he is already being linked to several teams, Gasol said that he is not yet thinking about his contract situation, knowing that the Grizzlies might go into a different situation several months from now.
"That's so far down the line that it's not on my mind. I just want to do my freaking job every day," Gasol said. "You never know what might happen in seven or eight months. The franchise might go in a different direction. We're going to see how we all feel in July. All of the talk now won't change that fact."
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