Knicks’ Offseason Approach Should Have Been Different

You know what happens when you destroy your roster for years?  Bad contracts and no way to get out.  That is the Knicks.  But a few things still should have happened with this cash-strapped ball club this off-season to make things better instead of what they did.  And here they are.

First, the Knicks should have never re-signed J.R. Smith.  He is too inconsistent of a scorer for a #2 guy.  Sure, New York got him on the cheap for $25 million over four years (or so the Knicks think), but this money could have gone elsewhere, which leads to the second thing.

New York should have at least tried to acquire Rajon Rondo from Boston.  Yes, Rondo is expensive, but he has only two years left on a five-year Celtics extension which pays him roughly $24-$25 million.  Well, that is the Smith money.  Plus, in two years, Amar'e Stoudemire is off the books as well as Tyson Chandler.  Perfect time to make Rondo a Knick for the rest of his career.  Rondo is the perfect compliment and combo guard who could work with Carmelo Anthony.  Plus, Carmelo already vocally spoke out about Rondo and how he wants him to play ball at the Garden.

Finally, Chris Copeland, anybody?  This guy is an energy player off the bench.  It would have cost $3 million to keep him.  Instead, he joins an Indiana team that beat New York in the playoffs and the Pacers might be better than they were last year no matter the end result.  Copeland is a big loss.  Some of the money that could have gone to Copeland instead went to the aging Pablo Prigioni who is 36.  Pablo will make $1.5 million annually for three years and could reach $2 million annually with incentives.  Silly.  Just silly.

The Knicks' off-season should have been planned out better.  Even with the cash-strapped situation they are in with bad contracts.  New York's time to win a title should be now, next year and the year after.

Instead, the Knicks might be looking up at the Nets over in Brooklyn and at the same time waiving good-bye to Carmelo Anthony after next season's opt-out opportunity.

By:  Mike Lindsley, "Mid-Day with Mike," M-F 1-4, Yankees pre/post game host on 104.5 The Team ESPN Radio.  Follow him on Twitter at Twitter.com/MikeLSports.