Twenty-seven million dollars doesn’t buy as much as it used to but Phil Jackson will enter free agency Wednesday desperately needing a starting center, shooting guard and a more traditional power forward than first-round European 7-foot-1 sharpshooter Kristaps Porzingis. Jackson is trying to split the money three ways — no easy task — but their draft-night haul that also included former Notre Dame point guard Jerian Grant sharpened free-agent needs. Desperate for tough forwards, a new name to surface is Pacers power forward David West, who surprisingly opted out of his contract this past week that would have paid him $12.5 million. West, 35, could be a great short-term fix and perhaps be had for a starting salary of $9 million across three years. A big-man tandem of West and defensive center Robin Lopez, who is expected to leave Portland, could serve as a cheaper option than giving the whole $15 million to presumptive favorite and more attractive signing of Greg Monroe, who will seek a maximum contract starting at $15 million. West and Lopez could agree to deals that combined value a little more than $15.5 million next season. The southpaw Monroe will meet with the Knicks next week and has more low-post skills than West and is just entering his prime. West is just past his prime, but is a more rugged defender and has interest in the Knicks. Monroe spent five seasons on awful teams in Detroit, though he’d be a terrific fit in the triangle in the post. The Knicks do have Spanish League center Guillermo Hernangomez, whom they are very high on after trading for his rights Thursday on the way next season. He was selected 35th by the Sixers. And remember, there is no “D” in Porzingis. “Finding a big that can help defend and anchor the defense would be a priority, a veteran guy who has done that before who can help us up front and be physical,’’ Knicks coach Derek Fisher said. “That was regardless of who we would’ve taken in the draft. Size up front, that will be big focus for us.’’ - See more at: http://nypost.com/2015/06/27/the-players-knicks-have-in-mind-to-provide-short-term-fix/
