The New York Knicks are preparing to make their best pitch to major free agents and David Fizdale knows he’ll play a part.
The New York Knicks have clear intentions this summer. Draft a franchise cornerstone in June and lure two max free agents in July. Head coach David Fizdale was on ESPN’s “The Michael Kay Show” to talk about the crucial offseason coming up.
“All hands on deck,” Fizdale told Kay. “This is a big summer for us.”
Obviously, the Knicks have been preparing for this moment for quite some time. Even prior to the Kristaps Porzingis trade, the Knicks were gearing up to make a pitch for one major free agent.
Following the Porzingis deal, they have the money to sign two superstars. Team president Steve Mills and general manager Scott Perry will run point on the offseason, but Fizdale knows he’ll need to play his part in attracting free agents.
“At the end of the day, Steve (Mills) and Scott (Perry) are running this deal,” Fizdale said “My job is to assist them any way I can. Probably the best way I can is to make sure I have the vision from a coach’s perspective to show each guy that we talk to, ‘This is how I plan on using you. This is how you fit into the big scheme of things. This is how the guys around you are going to fit.’ And really try to give them a real security about who they’re going to play for.”
Fizdale’s optimism oozed through the airwaves in this interview. If nothing else, they can’t do much worse next season. The Knicks tied the 2014-15 squad for the worst record in franchise history (17-65).
Despite the crooked record, free agency can provide some hope for Knicks fans. Fizdale is hopeful for the future and he’s urging Knicks fans to stick with them.
“Get ready, Knick fans, we’re getting better,” Fizdale said. “It’s going to be a whole better season next year.”