Report: Knicks target Ray Allen, Jason Terry, shooters

Apparently, the Knicks want some shooters to put around their roster. And they hope they can convince a good one to come to New York on the cheap.

While they wait to see if J.R. Smith stays or if he ops for free agency, they will target shooters in the upcoming free agency period, according to the Daily News (via SLAM):

Jason Terry, O.J. Mayo and Ray Allen top the Knicks’ free-agent wish list for shooting guards. Allen wants a big offer, of course, but he’ll also favor the team that shows him the most love when it comes knocking on his door on July 1. Looks like the Knicks, who don’t have a lot of money to offer Allen, will have to out wine-and-dine the Bulls and Heat.

Even after winning the arbitration hearing and maybe being able to sign Jeremy Lin as a Bird rights free agent (a ruling that is on hold as the league will appeal it) the Knicks can’t offer more than $3 million to a free agent.

Well, technically they could offer $5 million, but under the new CBA if they use an exception to become a taxpayer they would put a hard cap on themselves of $74 million. One they could not go over for any reason. No sane GM is going to do that. But if they offer just $3 million they keep the hard cap away.

Ray Allen will get $3 million or better offers from all over the place. Would he choose New York over chasing a ring with the Heat (who showed how deadly they are with shooters) or the Bulls or the Clippers or other teams looking for a gunner?

It’s hard to see Terry or Mayo playing for that little.