The Knicks were the first team eliminated from the playoffs, and now they get to face a horde of questions which are hovering over the franchise: will the team keep Coach Mike D'Antoni and president Donnie Walsh? Who can they get to fill out their roster? Will they ever learn to play defense? Can Walt Clyde Frazier wear his cow suit after Memorial Day?? At least one question mark was resolved today: the team announced hat they will keep point guard Chauncey Billups next year.
The team said they will not exercise the buyout clause in the 34-year-old's contract; he will make $14.2 million next season. It makes sense, since the Knicks most desired player now is New Orleans guard Chris Paul, who is tearing it up against the Lakers in the first round of the playoffs. Paul, who allegedly made a toast at Carmelo Anthony's wedding which sparked the rumors of an eventual Big 3 in NYC, won't become a free agent until 2012; until then, Billups is a highly experienced guard with tons of playoff games under his belt. Perhaps most importantly, he knows how to work well with Anthony.
There are still no confirmed reports about either Walsh or D'Antoni, who led the Knicks to their first playoff series in seven years this season. Walsh is expected to meet with team owner Jim Dolan within the next few days, and many expect Walsh to sign at least a two-year extension on his contract. But Walsh will most likely demand more autonomy from Dolan's influence. D'Antoni still has one more year on his contract, but would like to sign an extension now. He's going to have a lot to prove if he does get it though.
As for their other offseason priorities, the Knicks need a center—among the potential restricted free agents they could pursue are Marc Gasol of Memphis and DeAndre Jordan of the Los Angeles Clippers, Spencer Hawes of Philadelphia and Jason Smith of New Orleans. One surprise return may be Wilson Chandler: Chandler was one of the four major players traded to the Nuggets in the massive deal to bring Anthony and Billups to MSG. According to the Post, D'Antoni believes he's the "perfect versatile fit for his system who does so many things, including rebound." There's a possibility they may even try to trade Landry Fields, who had a terrible playoffs, for Chandler.
As for the "Denver Knicks," they are locked in a heated, thoroughly entertaining battle with the higher-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder; the series is now 3-1 in OKC's favor, and the two square off later tonight. Former Knick and current Nugget Danillo Gallinari is keeping himself busy between playoff games by shilling for a new energy product called "Sheets." Check out his amusing sheet video below:
