The New York Knicks are expected to make significant moves this summer in the hope of becoming a playoff contender again next season after a disastrous finish this year.
The Knicks finished with the second-worst record in the regular season at 17-65, which was the worst record in franchise history. Former Knicks guard Chauncey Billups thinks the Knicks need a vocal leader, which he thinks the team should look for this summer.
According to Ian Begley of ESPN New York, recent talks around the league indicated that the Knicks might have a strong chance to acquire Indiana Pacers David West this summer.
West, who averaged 11.7 points and 6.8 rebounds in 66 regular-season games with the Pacers, will reportedly opt out of the final year of his contract to become a free agent in the offseason.
Should the Knicks pursue a player who could become their vocal leader moving forward, Begley thinks West has the qualities to take the role. Begley added that West's situation this summer is worth monitoring because he is exactly the type of player the Knicks need if they want to acquire a player who could take the leadership role.
How about Carmelo Anthony?
Anthony is no doubt the best player in the roster and team president Phil Jackson believes the superstar forward will eventually become a better leader. However, Billups disagreed and said that his former teammate is a great player, but he does not view him as a vocal leader.
"He's not that guy," Billups said of Anthony. "Melo's a good friend of mine, one of the best players I ever played with, but he's not the guy who's going to stand up in the locker room and give this rah-rah speech and get the team to rally. That's not who he is."
Billups said that Anthony, who averaged 24.2 points to go along with 6.6 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game last season, will have the biggest responsibility inside the hardcourt, but he is not the type of guy who will get into the ears of his teammates inside the locker room when things are not going well for them.
"You've got to find another guy to make speeches, and another guy to do most of the leading," Billups said. "Carmelo is going to most of the time lead by example. He's not going to be vocal, he's not going to rock the boat."
Should the Knicks pursue David West if the All-Star power forward decides to test free agency this summer?
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