While the team rejoices after Carmelo Anthony decided to return to the team for another year as a free agent, the New York Knicks are now working its magic to add more names in their roster before the NBA games start this season.
Some of the players who are rumored to be in talks to sign as restricted free agents with Knicks include Kenneth Faried, Greg Monroe, Klay Thompson, Ricky Rubio, Kawhi Leonard, Imam Shumpert, JR Smith, Pablo Prigioni, and Amar'e Stoudemire.
Based on a report from ESPN.com, Knicks' camp is looking to trade Smith, Prigioni, or Shumpert during the offseason, while they were also discussing a proposal to the Timberwolves to trade Tim Hardaway Jr. and Stoudemire for Kevin Love. Though Phil Jackson recognized that the deal may not be accepted, the Knicks are willing to try out any moves and look into some trades in order of fixing up their roster, just like what happened during the deals between Tyson Chandler and Wayne Ellington.
In another news, the Knicks added Phil Jackson's former assistant Jim Cleamons to its coaching staff.
The coaching veteran will support head coach Derek Fisher in his first year with the Knicks, and will be reunited with Jackson, who is now the team's president.
Cleamons assisted Jackson in coaching the Chicago Bulls for seven seasons as well as with the LA Lakers for ten years. He worked at Jackson's side for nine of his 11 championship-winning teams in the NBA.
He was also Dallas Mavericks' head coach back in 1996-1997 season, and part of the 1997-1998 seasons. He had a win-loss record of 28-70 in Dallas back then.
Cleamons' latest work was as an assistant coach for Milwaukee Bucks under head coach Larry, who was terminated and replaced by Jason Kidd last July.
