Now that the 2015 NBA Draft has concluded, the task of figuring out what the New York Knicks starting lineup will look like is necessary.

By Robby Sabo

Does he like him, does he not? That is the question.

Whether or not the face of the New York Knicks, 31-year old Carmelo Anthony, likes Kristaps Porzingis will be a continuing narrative after a report surfaced that Melo was frustrated with the pick.

Despite the drama, Phil Jackson has indeed put this franchise in a position to be competitive this upcoming season. His tanking of 2014-15 has created it.

Of course, winning two of their final three games of the regular season screwed up a top-two pick in the NBA Draft, but the salary-cap space that is now present allows Melo to fully show his worth.

Can Anthony lure other stars to play alongside him in New York City at the mecca – Madison Square Garden?

A lackluster total of seven-ballers are on the Knicks payroll at the moment: Langston Galloway, Alexey Shved, Jose Calderon, Quincy Acy, Travis Wear, Cleanthony Early and Melo.

This group totals a paltry $31,122,871 in total player cost, via Hoops Hype. This means there’s a whole bunch of space to bring in players under the Charmin-soft NBA cap max of $61.7 million.

It means that one-max player can enter the MSG doors to go along with a plethora of solid professionals.

We all know the names of the unrestricted, and even restricted free agents who walk the NBA landscape at the moment. The question is, finally, who will be the one’s to accept that challenge and join Anthony and Porzingis in New York City?

Here is the dream starting lineup for the New York Knicks for this upcoming season:

Center – Greg Monroe

The center position will most likely be the one that’ll shape the rest of the roster for these Knicks.

With both Kristaps Porzingis and Carmelo Anthony in tow, Phil Jackson realizes the need for defense at the other spots. So, right off the bat, DeAndre Jordan becomes a desirable option with how dominant he is protecting the rim.

Although, it’s been rumored for half a year that Jackson has become enticed with Greg Monroe, and he gets the nod at the five-spot because of other pieces in the starting lineup.

While Monroe does lack a little on the defensive end of the floor, his scoring, rebounding and toughness in the middle could be a nice fit to go along with the stretch-four that’ll be playing alongside him.

Jackson will be able to snag Monroe for far less than the max, and far below what Jordan is going to receive on the open market.

Power Forward – Kristaps Porzingis

That stretch-four we speak of is 19-year old Kristaps Porzingis.

Will the newly-minted Knicks rookie be ready to start from day-one? Absolutely not. He’ll most definitely need time to allow his 7’1” 220 lbs. frame to fully develop.

However, like previously mentioned, this is the Knicks dream starting lineup so we’ll fit the pieces around the future of Porzingis and the here and now in Melo.

Having the tough Monroe in the middle and on the low-block will allow Porzingis to let it fly from the perimeter and create more space and options for Anthony to do his thing on the wing and in the high-post.

Small Forward – Carmelo Anthony

For the obvious selection of the story, Carmelo Anthony is fully entrenched in the three-spot for the 2015-16 squad.

Of course Anthony starts at the small-forward spot, but will routinely play a ton of power-forward when the bench factors in.

As long as the 31-year old manages to stay healthy and drama-free, the Knicks chances this upcoming season can take flight.

Shooting Guard – Jimmy Butler

Now is where the dream scenario comes fast and furious.

If Jackson can somehow get his hands on Chicago Bulls burgeoning star Jimmy Butler, the Knicks will have a very bright future ahead.

Most believe Butler will be heading back to Chicago. Butler has even stated that he’s now looking for a short-term deal, hedging his future on next season while he looks for an even bigger payday.

I don’t buy that situation for one moment.

Butler is already star. Not only did the 25-year old average 20.0 points, 5.8 rebounds and 3.3 assists last season, but he played possibly the best brand of perimeter defense in The Association. He took home the NBA’s Most Improved Player award and was named to the NBA’s All-Defensive second-team.

Somebody will offer Butler a max-deal that’ll force him to change his mind from short-term to long-term. The only question that’ll remain at that point will be whether Jerry Reinsdorf opens of the bank or not.

He’s been known to be a little stubborn in situations like these.

Suppose Jackson lands the perfect defensive and all-around ingredient in Butler to go along with Porzingis and Melo, Monroe at the five-spot will fit the puzzle as a lesser-paid player.

Wes Matthews will be the other important free agent in the shooting guard spot for New York.

Point Guard – Patrick Beverley

What Langston Galloway did last season provided the only bright spot in a dark and miserable season. For his efforts he’ll factor into the point-guard position this upcoming season.

Plus he’s already an extremely cheap option at under $1 million annually.

However, if the Knicks can reel in Houston Rockets point guard Patrick Beverley, it’ll do wonders for their team defense.

Still young at 26, Beverley is an extremely tough perimeter defender. He’s the kind of player who New York City will instantly fall in love with.

His facilitating isn’t the best (3.4 assists per game), but he’s an OK perimeter shooter and would form a nasty defensive back-court with Butler that’ll more than makeup for Melo’s defensive deficiencies.

The only question will come down to fitting Butler, Monroe and Beverley under the cap together.