LOS ANGELES — Phil Jackson said the Knicks need to add backcourt help in free agency, but that doesn’t mean he’s going to spend most of his cap space on a traditional point guard.
The Knicks have $18 million in cap room for this offseason, but that could grow if Arron Afflalo ($8 million) and Derrick Williams ($4.5 million) opt out of their contracts, and the club uses the stretch provision on Jose Calderon.
Jackson said it’s no secret the Knicks need a player who can penetrate, but he’s not “obsessed’’ with getting an elite starting point guard because the triangle offense is known for its two-guard fronts. Jackson gave a long history lesson of the role-playing lead guards in Chicago. The two best point guards on the market will be Mike Conley and Rajon Rondo.
Jackson acknowledged Calderon is “entering the latter part of his career,’’ but hinted the soon-to-be-signed young 76ers castoff Tony Wroten is someone to consider for next season as a starter. Wroten is not expected to play this season because he’s still weakened from last season’s ACL tear, but Jackson said he’ll be at summer league.
“My idea of chasing a point guard where it becomes just an obsession isn’t necessary,’’ Jackson said. “It’s not necessary. We can play the game without that. But we still need good performers.”
With the salary cap rising dramatically, the Knicks are going to be at a disadvantage, especially with likely the third-worst record in the NBA. Jackson remains optimistic.
“Everybody’s going to be flush with money. It’s going to be a seller’s [player’s] market,’’ Jackson said. “We have a definite idea how to help this team. I don’t think they’re secrets or mysteries. We’re just going to do just fine in free agency.”
Jackson said he’s not sure if “the market will provide enough money for more than one” important free agent.
“We’d like to have more than one and like to keep some of our guys who will be free agents,’’ Jackson said.
One reason Jackson is making the first five games of the six-game trip is to evaluate his free agents. Lance Thomas, Langston Galloway and Kevin Seraphin all will be free agents after the season, with Afflalo and Williams possibilities. Jackson indicated Sasha Vujacic probably won’t be part of the Knicks’ future.
When the Knicks were 22-22 in mid-January, Jackson tried to temper the expectations in the organization. They have gone 5-18 since, and he blamed “fatigue’’ from younger players and overuse of veterans.
“There were playoff hopes and I had to calm down some people,” Jackson said. “Teams don’t come back from 17 wins and win 41. It’s not the way it is.”
Interim coach Kurt Rambis revealed he hasn’t spoken to Derek Fisher since the day the former coach was fired.
“I should have reached out to him at some point in time,” Rambis said.